MANNINGTREE's future is in danger of being "mothballed" it has been claimed after a former mayor was re-elected for the sixth time.

Councillor Lee Lay-Flurrie was mayor of the town between 2005 and 2010, but has now returned to the post for 2014.

She was elected last Thursday after former mayor of two years Kerry King stepped down.

But councillor Carlo Guglielmi, who was also proposed for the position but lost out three votes to four, branded the decision as a "disgrace".

"Actions will speak for themselves but I fear the worst for Manningtree, there will be no progression," he said.

New mayor Lee Lay-Flurrie defended the council's election process and said she would be working for the good of the town.