A peninsula pub landlord has been co-opted onto a peninsula parish council, after his opponent failed to turn up for the vote.

Six Shotley parish councillors agreed Bristol Arms landlord Shane Rolin should be co-opted, while two member abstained.

Parish candidate Simon Whitney (Picture: @simontwitney/X)

Simon Whitney had put himself forward to be co-opted but did not attend Thursday evenings meeting to put forward his case, and did not gain any votes.

Mr Rolin stood as a Conservative candidate in last May's Babergh District Council elections for the Ganges ward, while Mr Whitney stood as the Labour candidate, both were soundly beaten by incumbent Derek Davis (Independent).

*Co-option is mechanism that can be used by parish councils to make up their numbers if not enough candidates were elected, or when councillors, resign during their term and a by election is not called by Babergh district Council due to lack nominations. Parish councils can use any mechanism they choose to co-opt non elected members.