Two councillors who were disqualified after failing to attend a single meeting in six months have been reappointed less than a week later.

Cllrs Claire Pearce and Shaun Cummings (both Lab) were kicked off Stone Parish Council sparking fears of a by-election with less than a year to go until the whole council is up for election.

That could have left taxpayers to pick up a £6,000 bill but now that cost will be avoided as the pair immediately stood for re-election and their seats were uncontested.

Parish council chairman John Burrell, speaking on behalf of the Conservative group, said the cost would have been a significant strain on the resources of the parish.

He added: "The law is clear — parish councillors must attend at least one meeting in six months and they simply didn’t show up.

“The parish council has arrangements in place if someone has genuine difficulty attending meetings but in this case one of the councillors involved has taken on a senior role in the local Labour Party and been pictured on social media attending campaign meetings. It’s disappointing that she has not turned up at the parish council to represent the people who elected her.”

But Cllr Mandy Garford (Lab) accused the Tories of trying to scaremonger.

She said: "The circumstances of the vacancies are public knowledge and Claire and Shaun are happy to discuss it with anyone, as am I. Shaun is disabled after suffering a stroke a few years ago. Claire is his full-time carer. Their absences from three council meetings were related to their caring and family duties.

"I know that Claire and Shaun are well liked and well respected in their community – and I suspect the majority of people in St Johns will be pleased to hear they are continuing as councillors.

"I believe we should the be doing all we can to encourage more women, people with disabilities and caring responsibilities into local politics. Claire and Shaun are volunteers who are unpaid and have chosen to give up their time to represent their community. Most people I speak to want to celebrate that and support that, and won’t be impressed by these attempts to score a cheap political point Claire and Shaun’s priority will be standing up for people in Stone.”