A LONG-serving Cowling parish councillor has resigned to run as a UKIP candidate in the Craven District Council elections in May.

Alan Perrow, who joined Cowling Parish Council in 2008 and became chairman a few months later, has stepped down so he can stand as a UKIP candidate in the Cowling ward.

"I was approached to stand for UKIP in the May elections," said Mr Perrow. "I can't wear two hats by standing for UKIP and serving as an independent parish councillor. I feel it's morally wrong."

"I believe very much in UKIP's principles," added Mr Perrow.

In addition to immigration, he is passionate about UKIP's policy to waive tuition fees for science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine subjects at university.

He said this would help retain doctors, so the NHS did not have to "poach" medical staff from third world countries where they were desperately needed.

Cowling parish clerk, Andrew Mallinson, confirmed he had received Mr Perrow's resignation.

"Alan has resigned to commit his time to other ventures," said Mr Mallinson.

Mr Perrow said he was pleased with his accomplishments as parish council chairman.

"I joined with the full intention of stopping Skipton Properties from getting a hold of our old village hall," said Mr Perrow. "We sold it for £135,000, which went a considerable way towards paying for our new village hall."

He also said during his time, the Friends of Middleton and Ickornshaw group had done an excellent job in getting funding for – and building – a recreation ground.

Mr Perrow was also pleased the village appointed a lengthsman, and said Dave Hitchcocks has been an "excellent man" for the job.

He also praised Mr Mallinson, who was appointed in 2009, saying he had been a good clerk for the council.

Although Mr Perrow will no longer be a parish councillor, he said he would continue to maintain the parish council's website and would remain part of a working group on planning issues.

Mr Perrow's departure came a week after another Cowling parish councillor, Natalie Johnson, submitted her resignation.

Mr Mallinson said Mrs Johnson, who is a member of the Cowling First Responders Group and is a full-time teacher, resigned because she did not have the time to commit to the parish council.

Their departure leaves Cowling Parish Council with three vacancies to fill its full contingent of nine councillors.

Mr Mallinson confirmed a by-election will not take place as it is within six months of local elections.

"We do welcome applications for anyone who would like to be co-opted on to the council in that time," he added.