COLLEAGUES have rallied behind the leader of Didcot Town Council saying he is the "right man for the job" after a leaked email revealed he offered to resign.

Bill Service, who only took on the role in May, said he was getting the "vibes" that some members were not happy with his leadership.

In the leaked email, Mr Service then offers to resign.

Mr Service said: "That was a private email for members of our group. I just want to leave it at that."

However, colleagues rushed to his defence and said it would be a "real shame" if he was to quit.

Mayor of Didcot Steve Connel, councillor for Ladygrove Ward, said he could not think of anyone better to be leader given Mr Service’s experience in local government.

He said: "He has our support, he is our leader and he is doing an amazing job.

"He is the right man for the job and everyone I have spoken to gives their complete support. To me it is just a shame someone decided to contact the press to make a story when there is not one.

"It is disheartening because there are far more important things going on in Didcot right now and if that is someone’s most important priority then their priorities are very skewed."

Mr Service served as leader of Didcot Town Council for two years before Labour took control in 2011.

Jo Nash, of Orchard Ward, said: "I think it is a real shame because he has only been in the leadership position since May.

"That is not a long time to show your qualities as a leader, especially when we have had all of summer off.

"I think he was quite upset and I think it might have been a bit premature to send that email to everyone.

"I feel for him. His heart is in the right place. It is really important to have the experience Bill has got."

Mr Service was elected by his group after previous council leader Charlie Robertson was asked to stand down.

Labour councillor for Northbourne ward Margaret Davies said she had no problem with Mr Service but she did have a problem with his group leading the council.

She said: "So far they have done nothing at all. It is a do-nothing council.

"There is a desperate need for the councillors to work together for the good of the town.”

Ms Davies said there had been a lot of new Conservative councillors and some did not realise what the job entails.

She added: "Bill has done the job before, he knows which way is up.

"It is not obvious that there is anybody else in the group that could do that job.

"They need to stop back-biting and get on with the job they were elected to do."