By Jean Kingdon COUNTY council lawyers are being called in to assist with dealing with the allegation of misconduct made against Ludlow's town clerk.

Police have decided to take no action after an alleged altercation following a town council committee meeting between town clerk Paul Russell and councillor Tony Pound on July 16.

The town council is still to continue its investigations however and councillors met behind closed doors last Friday evening and decided to hand over the enquiry to South Shropshire District Council and its legal officer, Veronica Calderbank.

"The district council is to stand in the shoes of the Mr Russell's employer - the town council, " said Ms Calderbank.

"Legal advice will come from me and the county into the allegations of misconduct. The county council has agreed a fee for this which is one-third of that charged by private sector lawyers."

Meanwhile Ludlow Town Council has found a part-time locum to take over the job of town clerk.

Former mayor Councillor Graeme Kidd said: "The town council is down two full-time members of staff, with Dick Harpur on long-term sick leave, and the clerk, Paul Russell, currently suspended.

"We have found a chap, who will be coming up today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) this week, and we'll be having a special meeting tomorrow (Friday) evening with him in attendance."

Richard Ewels, spokesman for Shropshire Police, said: "An allegation of assault at a Ludlow Town Council committee meeting has been investigated.

"Following the investigation, a police file was forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration and it has been decided no further action will be taken."