THE leader of Wyre Forest UKIP has stepped down from his role as a Kidderminster town councillor as he prepares to move abroad.

Michael Wrench said he was moving to Thailand for family reasons and had resigned from Kidderminster Town Council with immediate effect.

Mr Wrench described the decision as “very difficult” but added he was proud of the achievements of the party in Wyre Forest, which he helped set up in 2008.

A notice of vacancy has been posted on Wyre Forest District Council’s website and a by-election is likely to be held in May to fill the vacant seat in the Foley Park and Hoobrook ward.

Mr Wrench’s resignation is a second major blow to the party this year, following Maurice Alton’s de-selection from Bewdley Town Council after failing to attend a meeting in six months following his election last May.

As well as being a member of the Kidderminster Town Council, getting elected in May last year, he previously served on Wyre Forest District Council and has stood as UKIP’s district parliamentary candidate.

He said: “This has been a very difficult decision for me but it is a personal thing and family has to come first.

“I will miss it very much. While I served on the district authority, the most enjoyable part has been serving as a town councillor as this brought me closer to the people.

“I have enjoyed it and made some brilliant friends – many of whom are a million miles away from me in terms of their politics and background. But I believe I have broken down a lot of barriers and myths about UKIP.

“It is also likely that I would have become Mayor in this cycle so there are a few regrets and it is a big decision to make and I apologise for any inconvenience it will cause.”

He added: “There wasn’t a UKIP branch in Wyre Forest until 2008, when I started it alongside Tony Baker, who sadly died a short while after.

“We got our first councillors in 2013 and we’ve had others elected since and that is a big achievement for a little group.

“We’ve stood our ground and punched above our weight and it is something to be proud of.

“Councillor Martin Stooke will become deputy mayor in May and so I wish my colleagues continued success in the future.”