KEIGHLEY Town Council is being taken to an employment tribunal by its former clerk who is claiming wrongful and unfair dismissal.

The hearing takes place in Leeds on September 25, where an employment judge will adjudicate on a claim brought by Safia Kauser, who was Keighley town clerk until her departure from the town council in March.

The town council has until July 3 to inform the tribunal of whether it wishes to defend the claim against it.

The news of the tribunal has came shortly after a Keighley town councillor announced his resignation from the council, saying he was stepping down in a gesture of support for Ms Kauser.

Cllr Ron Beale, who had represented the council's Woodhouse and Hainworth Ward, said he had resigned with immediate effect on May 25.

A spokesman for the town council offered the council's thanks to Cllr Beale for his service.

Commenting on the date for the employment tribunal, the council spokesman said: "We can confirm we have received the employment tribunal papers, and we will be following the due process."

Ms Kauser joined Keighley Town Council as an accounts and administration assistant in June 2009.

She was appointed responsible financial officer (RFO) in December 2014, temporary acting clerk in July 2015 then was being confirmed as the permanent clerk in October 2015.

Since leaving Keighley Town Council she has taken up a post as clerk and RFO of a different local authority.

The departure of Cllr Beale means there is a now a vacancy on the town council's Woodhouse and Hainworth Ward.

The official notice for the vacancy states: "If by June 25 2018 a request for an election to fill the said vacancy is made by ten electors for the said town council ward, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy. Otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

"If an election is called, it will take place not later than August 28 2018."