Parish officer Mark Read will have his contract re-newed for another year, following letters of support from impressed Ledbury residents and traders.

Mr Read is employed by the police and funded by the town council and his first year in the role comes to an end this May.

Mr Read carries out foot patrols in the area to provide a presence for the police and acts as a bridge with the community.

Len Huff, the chairman of the Ledbury Independent Traders Association, said of his re-employment: "I'm thrilled and delighted. Mark's presence over the last year has made an enormous difference to the confidence of traders in this town.

"LITA has supported him at every stage and I have urged people to write to the town council, urging councillors to re-appoint Mark for a further term."

The issue was debated at a LITA meeting in the Fea-thers Hotel on January 26.

Town clerk June McQuaid said the council had already put £19,000 into its budget to renew Mr Read's contract.

She said: "We've had letters supporting what Mark does and, obviously, councillors consider it worthwhile to keep a parish officer. But the police are the employer, we only fund the position."

Inspector Sue Thomas said: "Mark's contract will be extended. I am more than happy to support Mark in this role.

"We've had a very positive response from the public and traders and he's been everywhere, into shops and the schools. He also provides a lot of intelligence, which assists police officers."

Mr Read is also being issued with a bike, because of the large area he covers.