BLACKWOOD town council's deputy mayor had just two days in office before it was discovered he was voted for by an ineligible councillor, we can reveal.

Plaid Cymru councillor Noel Turner, who represents Fleur-de-Lys, won a closely-fought election to become deputy mayor earlier this month.

Mr Turner and the Labour candidate, Nigel Dix, were tied on eight votes apiece until mayor and Blackwood councillor Darren Jones used his casting vote.

But it was then discovered that Plaid Cymru town councillor Ann Parsons had not attended a meeting in six months - which automatically disqualified her from the vote in the absence of any prior notice of mitigating circumstances.

As the election would have been won by Mr Dix in normal circumstances, he is likely to replace Mr Turner.

Ms Parsons is also likely to be replaced on the town council. The changes are due to be formally settled at their next meeting at the end of June. The mistake was spotted just two days after the election by Ivor Palmer, town council secretary.

He said: "A member did vote at the meeting and it would appear they were ineligible to vote. "As a result of that the vote for the role of deputy mayor no longer stands. "The person who was elected deputy mayor is no longer deputy mayor."

Mr Palmer added: "I don't think there was anything sneaky about it - it was just a very close vote and she was outside her deadline to attend a meeting by only a few weeks."

Mr Turner said he was taking advice from Ian Meddlicott, the chief legal officer at Caerphilly borough council to see where he stood.

"It doesn't look too good," said Mr Turner.

"It's a pity because I would have enjoyed the position but we will just have to wait and see what happens at the next town council meeting."