ROYSTON s deputy mayor Chris Barton has stood down as a town councillor. The move comes a month after he was arrested for a drink-drinking offence in Royston. He was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £180 when he appeared at Stevenage Magistrate

ROYSTON's deputy mayor Chris Barton has stood down as a town councillor.

The move comes a month after he was arrested for a drink-drinking offence in Royston.

He was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £180 when he appeared at Stevenage Magistrates' Court.

In a statement to members of the Royston Conservative Party, he described the incident as "an error of judgment".

He was stopped in Melbourn Street, Royston after leaving the Royton Conservative Club.

He said in the statement: "I am convinced that standing down from the town council is the only honourable thing to do."

Mr Barton was re-elected to Royston Town Council last May after serving the previous four years as a councillor.

He was appointed deputy mayor and became chairman of the town council's transport and general purposes committee.

In the past month he told The Crow that it was intention to quit as a councillor.

His decision could lead to a by-election in the town's Meridian ward on Thursday, May 3 - the same day as North Herts District Council elections.