THE recently appointed fee-collector at the Burgage, Ken Bradley, has left the post after only a couple of weeks.

After being criticised at the last meeting of the Parks and Cemetery committee, he said: "I was collecting fees to the best of my ability, and some councillors were not satisfied that I was carrying out my duties properly, so I packed it in."

The situation was discussed at last week's council meeting and, after heated disagreement between the mayor and councillors over use of the tennis courts, plans to allow the public to play free at weekends, were pushed through.

However, councillors insisted that a local person fully conversant with the needs and distances involved was needed and the council is to advertise the position locally.

Until then, it was agreed that councillors will keep the Burgage open on a rota basis with free access for players.

Tenbury Tennis Club Secretary, Peter Beavis said: "By doing this the town council is failing in its duty to collect revenue that is due to the people of Tenbury Wells. This situation could easily have been avoided if the dispute between us had been sensibly discussed with a little goodwill."

An open day to promote sport and leisure facilities in Tenbury has been scheduled for May 17, subject to confirmation.