Labour leader Fleming quits Rother

The Sidley ward member had not attended meetings for several months and has reportedly been living abroard.

Ward colleague Cllr Helen Bridger takes over as leader the group.

Old Town ward member Cllr Dierdre Williams swapped to the ruling Conservative group soon after her election.

Thus the Labour group on 45-member Rother is now down to three - Cllr Bridger, fellow Sidley ward member Cllr Joan Winterbottom and Cllr Paul Carey of Rye.

A Rother spokesman said this week that because Mr Fleming had resigned a week before the deadline six months before the closing date for the May 2003 Rother elections, a by-election could be called.

At the time of going to press nobody had called for a by-election.