THE Somerset County Councillor for Chard north has left the UK Independence Party. 

Nigel Pearson, who was voted in to represent the division at 2013's elections, will continue in his role as an independent councillor. 

He said: "Due to irreconcilable differences between myself and the chairman of the UKIP Somerset County Committee, I regret that I cannot continue as a member of UKIP.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the UKIP members and supporters in the Yeovil branch who have worked so hard over the years, culminating in the excellent county council election results last May."