THE new mayor of Ledbury has stood down after less than a week in office after calls were made for him to resign because of events in his past.

An online petition calling for the resignation of Cllr Martin Eager attracted more than 300 signatures in under 36 hours on the Voice of Ledbury Facebook page.

He was only elected last Thursday and said he stood down on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Ledbury Reporter, he said he had taken the decision to stand down and had instructed solicitors.

He said he had not been aware of the petition which appeared on the Voice of Ledbury Facebook page.

Cllr Eager has lived in Ledbury all his life and had previously been the deputy mayor.

He added on Wednesday: “I’m not the mayor. I stood down yesterday. The whole business is in the hands of solicitors. These solicitors are, at the moment, working under my instruction.”

The Reporter has previously reported how Eager punched, shook and threatened to kill his wife on June 5, 2008 at the couple’s home.

The wording of the petition is: “We the undersigned call for a parish meeting to discuss the election of Mr Martin Eager as town Mayor of Ledbury Herefordshire. We also sign to ask for his immediate resignation as mayor of Ledbury.”

One reader wrote on the Facebook page: “Over 300 names in less than 36 hours. Thanks everyone.”

Richard Hadley, a former Ledbury town councillor, has written a letter to Ledbury Town Council, and welcomed Cllr Eager’s decision to step down.

He said: “At least he’s seen the writing on the wall.”

Earlier he had spoken of the ‘public outrage’ that greeted the decision to elect Mr Eager as mayor.

He wrote: “It gives absolutely no pleasure to point out to you the damage to the Town Council's credibility and the town’s wider reputation by this election.

“It is clear in the minds of most reasonable people that Martin Eager is quite unsuitable to be town mayor. The whole town is united in opposition to Eager, and now to you.”