Unelected Malmesbury town councillor Judy Jones has resigned because she wants to get townspeople more involved in democratic elections.

She issued her resignation to the mayor Patrick Goldstone and town clerk Phil Rice on Tuesday.

Ms Jones, 48, from Back Hill, Malmesbury, volunteered for the council after nobody came forward to contest a vacancy in May 2003.

In a system known as co-option, she joined councillors Ian Oliver and Glynn Davies as unelected members of the council.

But Ms Jones feels her lack of mandate undermined her credibility as a voice for the people. And the resignation of Mr Oliver recently prompted her to do the same.

Ms Jones said: "My main concern is that there should be more directly elected members. The last proper election was held in 1995.

As Ian Oliver's seat is being contested, I felt this would be a good time to step down. I felt I lacked credibility to speak up on behalf of people when I had not been elected. I really hope the public will demand an election for the seat."

She also felt it was increasingly difficult to juggle her job as a freelance journalist with her council role.

She said: "I am a self-employed freelance writer and journalist and it is hard to fit in the time and energy to do a good job when you are working full-time. I certainly enjoyed my time on the council and it was a great privilege.

"I would recommend people to stand for this vacancy on the council because it is a wonderful education. You find out a lot about what is going on and it opens doors to people you would otherwise not come across."

Ms Jones added that she always tried to actively contribute to council meetings.

Coun Gladstone said: "It is an immense shame. She has contributed a great deal and was such a useful member. She was co-opted because she volunteered for the position.

"But I can understand her feeling that she wanted to be elected. I think it is a reflection of the amount of work an active councillor has to do and how little the town council can do sometimes.

"It costs the council about £2,000 to hold an election for a vacancy that is a lot of money. But I like elections and I think the electorate should have a chance to make an informed choice."