A CONSERVATIVE councillor resigned from South Oxfordshire District Council this morning.

Robert Simester represented the Kidmore End and Whitchurch ward on the council.

Mr Simester's resignation – which took immediate effect – means he is the third councillor to have quit the council's Conservative Party group since Jane Murphy was elected leader in April 2018.

Another six Conservative councillors remain suspended from the group, pending investigations.

Local elections will be held in May in all South Oxfordshire district wards.