THE former clerk of Leigh Town Council has vowed to launch an appeal after being sacked following a disciplinary hearing.

Helen Symmons was suspended from her role at the town council at the end of July last year and has remained suspended throughout an internal investigation.

Earlier this month, a disciplinary hearing took place and chairman of the town council, Bernard Arscott, has confirmed she is “no longer” a council employee.

However, speaking to the Echo on Friday, Ms Symmons confirmed she will appeal against the decision.

In a statement to the Echo, she added: “I confirm I have received a letter, but it would be inappropriate to make comment whilst a process is still ongoing.

“I can say though that it has been a real honour to be Leigh’s first female town clerk. To work alongside some wonderful councillors over the years, whose passion for Leigh was always at the forefront was a joy.

“The staffing teams that supported me in my role made working and serving my community, where I have lived for more than 30 years, an absolute pleasure.”

Ms Symmons’s suspension came shortly after the Conservatives took control of the council in an election last May.

The town council has been traditional non-political and a number of clashes have broken out since with residents staging a series of protests outside Leigh Community Centre. The residents are campaigning for nine Tory councillors who were elected unopposed during the 2023 election to stand down over concerns about the way the town council is run.

It is unclear when and why Ms Symmons was suspended.

Mr Arscott said: “Helen Symmons, the former town clerk, is no longer employed by Leigh Town Council.”