A COUNCILLOR who has moved to the Shetlands says he will continue to represent his Cowling ward for the rest of the year.

John Alderson has taken up a post with a Harris tweed mill in Stornoway in the outer Hebrides.

Originally he hoped to make a decision about his future in March but said the business demands meant he now would know whether or not his move would be permanent later this year.

"I have not resigned because I may well be moving back," said Coun Alderson.

He said he had the overwhelming support of people in Cowling and was continuing to represent their interests in Craven using the phone and emails and was not drawing allowances.

"The only thing I am not doing is being physically present at meetings," he said. "I am doing all the other work."

Coun Alderson has been heavily involved in discussions and planning for a new village institute being built in Cowling and said he continued to play a key role.

"If I dropped that, then it would be difficult for someone else to pick it up and could delay everything," he said.

Coun Alderson said he did return to his home in Cowling as part of his holiday and spent his time on council business. He will attend the annual meeting of the Craven District Council next week.

He dismissed critics of his decision not to resign.

"People tell me they want me to stay, people are well aware of the situation and just because one or two stirrers want me to go doesn't mean that I should ignore the wishes of the majority," he said.