A SALISBURY district councillor has been condemned by his constituents after he moved to Germany but didn't give up his seat.

Conservative Henry Bojdys was paid an allowance of £3,840 to represent Durrington last year, even though he was living in another country.

Although he comes back to attend full meetings of Salisbury district council - which are held six times a year - Mr Bojdys was only present at two of the 14 northern area committee meetings in 2004, which dealt with important planning decisions.

The councillor - who was elected in May 2003 - is also a member of Durrington parish council.

Clerk Mary Towle said: "He no longer has an address in Durrington, so I have to e-mail the invitations to him."

Other constituents are concerned that Mr Bojdys is unable to deal with complaints and concerns that affect Durrington residents.

Andy Shaw, who has lived in the village since 1983, said: "How can a district councillor who lives in Germany possibly be serving the interests of the community that he was elected to represent?

"This Conservative councillor made an electoral pledge to represent Durrington. He should be here, on hand to sort out any problems.

"What would he do if there was an emergency - fly back from Germany?

"The council taxpayer is funding him and he's not even in the country."

Councillors are not required to live in the ward they represent and only have to attend one formal council meeting every six months.

A council spokesman said Mr Bojdys has not put in any expenses since last June and made two claims the previous year for local journeys.

When the Journal tried to contact Mr Bojdys for a comment and to ask if he intended to resign if his situation did not change, we found that his telephone number, published on the district council's website and in other literature, had been disconnected.

The e-mail address given to the public is also no longer available and the Journal received no response when we e-mailed Mr Bojdys at his council address.

The Tory leader of Salisbury district council, Councillor Kevin Wren, defended Mr Bojdys and emphasised that his absence was temporary - although he admitted that he did not know when Mr Bojdys would return.

Mr Wren said: "It is unfortunate that Cllr Bojdys's wife was awarded a temporary position in Germany so soon after the election. However, he does have an exemplary record in council meeting attendance .

"We must also be aware that Durrington is a two-member ward and Cllr Mark Baker is able to handle any difficulties or problems that arise from their constituents.

"I am also more than happy to step in and give support for the ward during Cllr Bojyds's temporary absence.

"I monitor the situation in Durrington very carefully."