TORY Sue Appleton has resigned from Congleton Borough Council in protest against planned spending cuts by her party.

The authority is planning a series of radical cost-cutting measures to cut spending by £1.5 million.

Under the plans by the council's ruling Conservative group Congleton and Alsager Leisure Centres would be run by a trust and school respectively.

Car parking charges could be brought in, luncheon club meal prices would rise and the plant-growing unit at Congleton Park would close.

Congleton Town Hall and Alsager Civic Centre could be run by town councils and 40 borough council staff could lose their jobs.

Mrs Appleton, of Hampshire Close, Congleton, was elected to represent Congleton North West almost seven years ago.

"I am strongly opposed to many of the proposed measures, as are many of my constituents, such as the closure of the propagation unit and the introduction of car parking charges," said Mrs Appleton.

"I cannot in all conscience continue to sit on the council as a member of the party which will implement them.

She accused the council of being "too political."

Mrs Appleton will continue to represent the North West ward on Congleton Town Council, which is where she said her heart was.