LEDBURY county councillor Emma Holton has confirmed she has left the Conservative Party, citing "personal reasons" and that she no longer lives in Ledbury.

But she has also stated her intention to continue to represent Ledbury, and Herefordshire Council has confirmed that this is in order, and that she will be able to stand for re-election next year.

When asked by The Reporter if it was true that she had quit the Conservative Party to become an independent, and that she was now living in Shropshire, Cllr Holton said: "Yes, sure have; I will still be representing the Ledbury South ward and its residents, as I am in the area on a weekly basis."

When asked why she had taken the decision to leave the Conservatives, Cllr Holton said: "I can assure you I am still a Conservative in my views; but my father in this case, would do the same."

Cllr Holton is the daughter of one of Ledbury's most respected county councillors in recent years, the late Peter Watts (Conservative).

When asked again why she had left the party, Cllr Holton replied: "Personal reasons".

The development has led to questions on social media concerning Cllr Holton's future as a county councillor for Ledbury.

Posting on the Town Talk Facebook site, fellow county councillor for Ledbury, Cllr Liz Harvey (It's Our County) said: "Apparently she lives in Shropshire now, so she wouldn't qualify to stand."

But a spokesman for Herefordshire Council said: "A Herefordshire councillor must meet at least one of the following local connection criteria at the time they stand for election, and once elected this will be recorded on their register of interests:

* They are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which they wish to stand from the day of their nomination onwards

*They have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of their nomination and the day of election

*Their main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of their nomination and the day of election has been in the local authority area

*They have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of their nomination and the day of election."

The Herefordshire Council spokesman said of Cllr Holton's circumstances: "If you look on her record of interests, she would still be eligible to stand in next year’s local elections."

The register of interests confirms that Cllr Holton is living in Shropshire, but also that she has a share in a property in Ledbury.