ONE of Teignmouth's youngest councillors has quit midway through his term of office, and it could spark a by-election costing £3,500.

Lib-Dem Alex Cross, 29, this week resigned from the town council because he is finding it difficult to attend evening meetings.

His departure leaves a vacancy in the west ward, which will now have to be advertised. He was elected in May, 2007.

An election will be held if ten or more electors demand it within 14 days, but otherwise the council could co-opt somebody to serve out the remaining two years.

Cllr Cross, who will remain as a Teignbridge councillor, explained that his wife Jessica, a drama teacher at Paignton, was expecting their second child.

'We have a son who is two, and I am a house husband in the day, and give music lessons in the evening.

'With a second child, it is going to be really busy for us, and I will just not have the time to attend town council meetings, which are mainly held in the evening. Unusually, it is easier for me to go to Teignbridge daytime meetings.

'It is a great shame to leave the town council, which is now making very positive contributions to regenerating Teignmouth, and I hope the council will continue the spirit of co-operation for the good of the town,' Cllr Cross told the Post.

Colleagues said they were sorry to see him leave, and the mayor, Cllr Fred Tooley, added: 'We need younger blood like him, and he was a very thoughtful and effective councillor. Hopefully he may be able to return in the future.'

Town clerk Dave Tickell said that if an election was held, it would cost local taxpayers £3,500, which was money that had not been budgeted for.