The Conservative hold on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has become even weaker.

Already reduced to a minority administration, the Conservatives have lost two more members this week, both from the same ward.

Cllr Bill Hills, who had represented Paddock Wood West, resigned his seat citing personal reasons, while the cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Matt Bailey, quit the party and is now holding his Paddock Wood West seat as an Independent.

Cllr Bailey said his resignation was due to the string of "shocking headlines" emerging from Downing Street and Westminster.

He said that as most of the work of the borough council was non-political in nature, it would be better for him to represent his residents free of any association with the Government.

The defection and resignation now leave the Conservatives with 21 of the 48 seats, the Lib Dems with 12, Tunbridge Wells Alliance with six, Labour five and Independents three.

The Conservatives are running the council as a minority administration with Cllr Tom Dawlings a leader.

The council elects its members by thirds, and 16 seats are due to be contested in May 5.

Mr Hills' resignation leaves a vacancy in Paddock Wood West, but because it falls within six months of the date that the seat would have been due for re-election, there will not be a by-election.

Council leader Tom Dawlings has yet to announce who he will appoint to replace Cllr Bailey as the cabinet member.