More than half a village’s parish council have opted to quit and not stand again for re-election.

Seven out of 13 councillors at Sible Hedingham Parish Council have handed in their resignation and only two villagers have taken up the spare seats.

Chairman Gill Massey, who will carry on in her role, said there had not been a “mass walkout” because councillors were unhappy but it was just “one of those things” that so many had quit for various reasons, including other commitments and age.

She urged anyone interested in shaping the future of Sible Hedingham to get involved and hoped that younger people might be interested in taking up the baton.

In May, the council will begin its parish year with just eight members.

Mrs Massey said: “We can manage but it just means that each one of the eight members will have to work extra hard. But we are looking to co-opt as soon as possible.

“There will be two new faces - John Fenelly, who has previously been on the council and is coming back, and Steve Jones, who is new.

“It is a shame that so many councillors are leaving but times change and people move on.”

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.