Edward FergusonMALMESBURY town clerk Edward Ferguson has accused the council of a lack of professionalism in a parting shot before he retires at the end of this month.

Mr Ferguson has been off sick from the council for nearly six months due to stress, and has complained to the local government ombudsman of discrimination and harassment from the council.

The ombudsman decided not to investigate the allegations but in a statement, republished in the letters page of the Gazette, Mr Ferguson said new members needed more training to improve their performance.

He wrote: "My one regret is to see some new members display a lack of professionalism, skill or knowledge and the inability to distinguish between what is legally and morally right.

"There is I would suggest two ways to assist the newer members and that is to give them local council training, with appropriate funding, and finally to ensure that Malmesbury electors attend local elections and vote for candidates who are objective and truly representative of the town. "

Mr Ferguson, who is on full pay, said that he had been willing to return as clerk in the month leading up to his retirement but the offer had been refused by the council.

Mayor Patrick Goldstone said: "It is a very gracious letter from Edward and I am pleased he has been able to write in the tone that he has. He is an experienced town clerk and we would obviously listen to the advice that he gives.

"He has been off sick for getting on six months and the decision had to be taken, however hard, for the good of the town. We had to consider he was approaching retirement age. I am not going to overtly or covertly criticise him, he is retiring and has given loyal service to the town for 17 years."