DAN Gillingham-Hyett has spoken out about the personal abuse he suffered as a town councillor.

The 22-year-old became the youngest town councillor in Gloucestershire after he was elected to represent Winchcombe in 2007 at the age of 18.

But a controversial Astroturf project in the town led him to become the victim of name-calling and abuse and he decided to hand in his resignation.

Dan said: "I took the decision to leave a year ago as I wanted to concentrate on my own life but decided I would stick it out for the four-year term. After the meeting last week, I handed in my resignation straight away."

The former councillor said he had been on the wrong end of abuse over a controversial sports pitch which will be built in the town.

The Town Council has faced criticism from some sports teams, which claimed the pitch was suited only to footballers.

Dan, a youth worker, said it was time to leave when the criticism became personal.

"I had people coming up to me in the pubs to talk to me about the pitch, it got quite verbal," he said. "I am a young person, not just a councillor. I don't think it is fair to approach me when I am out socialising."

After the public meeting, he said he was called a "disgrace" by members of the public and told he should be ashamed to represent the young people of the parish.

"My whole reason for joining the Town Council was to work for the young people in Winchcombe," he said.

"There have been all sorts of malicious rumours going around about me and I just think when it gets personal like that, enough is enough."

Dan has resigned with immediate effect.

"It has been an experience and I would recommend joining the town council to make a difference in the town," he said.

"But for a young person it is a big commitment."

Dan said he hopes the town can put the controversy behind it.

He said: "I just hope Winchcombe becomes the ideal place everyone wants it to be."