A COUNCIL rocked by a spate of resignations has publicly defended itself in the face of claims it is gripped by "crisis".

Residents last night accused the remaining members of Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council of being anonymous - and called on them to explain why six councillors have quit amid a bitter war of words.

Chairman Elizabeth Blacklee told the annual parish meeting that personality clashes were to blame for a rift between a modernising faction and veteran councillors. In her annual report, she admitted the last year had been "rather difficult", but was reluctant to be drawn further on the row.

The Evening Press revealed last month how only seven members remained on the council, after months of simmering feuds led to the resignations of five members of a so-called modernising faction, including former chairman, Philip Thorpe.

Former finance committee chairman Charles Harland resigned last November, saying he found it impossible to work with Mr Thorpe or the other councillors who stepped down last month.

We also reported that a local government watchdog had received five complaints, made from within the council, about members' actions. Only about a dozen residents attended last night's meeting at Robert Wilkinson School. Lack of numbers led to one villager branding the turnout "embarrassing".

Councillors agreed to look into steps like introducing a parish council newsletter to increase public participation among the 4,000-plus voters it represents.

The villager then said he had "no idea" who the remaining parish councillors were, so each stood and introduced themselves.

Another resident, speaking after the chairman's report, which only briefly touched on the resignation furore, said he was still in the dark as to what caused the council "crisis".

He said villagers should not have to rely on media reports, detailing rows over reforming the clerk's post, to find out what was happening. Coun Blacklee, blaming personality conflicts, said that peace had now broken out on the troubled authority - and urged new members to step forward.

But despite the public show of unity from the current council, rumblings of discontent were not far from the surface.

Former councillor John Middleton - one of the members who resigned over modernisation plans - called on villagers to read the minutes of parish council meetings since last April before forming opinions on the saga.

If residents wanted fresh council elections, he said, ten voters from each parish had to write to the returning officer immediately, otherwise new members would be co-opted.

The parish council's AGM is being held tonight, when posts like chairman and vice-chairman are due to be confirmed.

Updated: 10:36 Tuesday, May 11, 2004