AN OKEHAMPTON town councillor walked out of a meeting this week after he failed to get an apology from fellow members frustrated by his absence at an 'important' planning meeting.

Cllr Bill Bourne has threatened to resign over what he calls 'a matter of principle'.

Okehampton Town Council was angered when the three West Devon Borough Councillors representing Okehampton failed to attend a borough planning meeting on June 25 where applications for the demolition of the swimming pool and park pavilion were determined.

The authority wrote a letter to all three members asking them to explain their absence.

Cllr Bourne said he had been on holiday in Jamaica and had informed the borough council and the town council of his plans beforehand.

'My apologies were given for my non-attendance,' he said. 'Had this council been prepared to fly me to and from Jamaica for a council meeting then I could have got there.

'As far as I am concerned this council owes me an apology because I did everything correct and proper.'

When a proposal to send an apology to Mr Bourne was lost he got up from his seat and walked out of the meeting.

Afterwards he said his fellow councillors did not seem to accept he had a valid reason for not attending the meeting.

'It was my first holiday in 14 years and everybody knew where I was so I believed I deserved an apology,' he said.

'It appears I am no longer appreciated by the council and therefore I will be considering resigning.'

Cllr Jayne Hill said she worked as a borough councillor in a voluntary capacity and unfortunately due to employment commitments she could not attend all of the meetings.

'I sent my apologies and my views to the borough council and agreed with the planning officer's recommendations,' she said.

'I am always prepared to be approached and questioned about the borough council's policy and issues.'

In a letter Cllr Joan Pauley said she also sent her apologies for her non-attendance and stressed she was always available to talk with the town council or members of the public about council matters.