THE mayor of a Gwent town quit his post - and the town council - last night over his relationship with a convicted fraudster.

Members of Chepstow town council accepted Alun Fuller's offer of resignation without making a comment, and agreed to appoint a new town mayor to serve the rest of the year at the next meeting.

Mr Fuller, 48, decided to offer his resignation after his relationship with Julie Mason, 38, was made public.

Mason, an undertaker from Caldicot, was jailed for three months by Newport magistrates in February for frauds totalling more than £35,000.

She left grieving relatives traumatised after defrauding her then employers, a firm of funeral directors, and her husband.

Mason admitted charges of theft, obtaining services by deception, obtaining money by deception and forgery with intent.

On Tuesday she was released from prison on licence after serving four weeks and is due to be electronically tagged.

The couple have set up home together in Undy after Mr Fuller left his wife, and despite the fact their house was daubed with graffiti yesterday, Mr Fuller told the Argus: "We are closer and stronger and we realise what we have got."

He had hoped his town council colleagues would allow him to serve out his last eight weeks as mayor, but that was not to be.

Mr Fuller did not attend last night's town council meeting, appointing town clerk Sandra Bushell to speak on his behalf instead.

But afterwards he told the Argus he had wanted to attend the meeting, but had been told some members would walk out if he turned up, and was advised not to attend. He said: "Because they did not want me at the meeting I am resigning as councillor and as mayor."

But after last night's meeting, several town councillors praised Mr Fuller for his commitment during his time in office.

Councillor Phil Hobson said: "I think it is unfortunate and I am sorry to see him go. I did not hear any complaints about his time in office."

Councillor Will Oliver said: "I think he has carried out his duties as mayor well and his private life is his private life."

Councillor Pam Birchall added: "I hope he is getting his life back together."