THE chairman of Fulford Parish Council has stood down after 18 months, blaming work pressures for his decision.

Councillor Mike Williamson told fellow parish councillors this week that he could no longer sustain his position as chair.

Mr Williamson also stood down as chairman of the private finance initiative sub-committee which had been scrutinising a bid to rebuild St Oswald's Primary School, in Heslington Lane.

Coun David Scott, who has taken over as acting chairman, said Mr Williamson will remain as a parish councillor until the May elections.

He said: "We have had some difficult decisions to make and have some more in the future. He steered the council in an incredibly sure and even-handed way."

A successor will be elected during the next parish council meeting at Fulford Social Hall on Monday, February 3, at 7.30pm.

Updated: 09:27 Monday, January 13, 2003