December 18, 2000 14:52: THE former chairman of Croxley Green Parish Council is seeking to be re-elected to the council - just four months after he resigned.

Mr Brian Norman, of Baldwins Lane, is standing against Mr Kerron Cross, of Hazelwood Road, to be elected to his old seat in the Croxley Green North Ward. The election will take place on Thursday, January 11.

It is still vacant after his resignation because nobody stood for the seat on the two occasions it has been offered up for election since Mr Norman left.

Mr Norman resigned from the council in August along with five other parish councillors who were unhappy with the way the council was being run by the clerk, Mr Derek Fineberg.

Following a petition from local residents, there will now be an investigation into the way the council has been run.

Mr Norman said: "My main concern has always been in helping the council move forward. I have always been concerned about procedure and I resigned because we were not getting the correct advise.

"It is not about personalities and it's time to get on with helping the people of Croxley Green."

Mr Cross, 23, would become the youngest-ever member of the council if he wins the election. He works in Parliament as a senior researcher for Andy Reed, Labour MP for Loughborough. He is standing on an environmental platform of keeping the Old Merchant Taylors' playing fields and preserving other green spaces in the area.

He said: "This is my first election and it is nice to think I might be able to make a difference. I want to keep Croxley Green as green as possible and I want to try to get cross-party support on the issue."

Richard Evans