A Shoebury-based organisation for ex-military personnel has been left in limbo after three of its committee members resigned due to a dispute over an unpaid bill.

The chairman, treasurer and membership secretary of the 200-strong Shoebury Branch of the Royal Artillery Association, stood down after a row over a payment to an organisation which took part in the association's summer fun day.

Following the departure of Roy Pearson, Ken Norris and Paul Barber, secretary, Charlie Brown said: "They resigned their positions at the branch meeting of October 7 as a result of a disagreement over the bill."

There is to be an extraordinary general meeting on November 4 at the Shoebury Hotel when a new committee, whose nominations have already been received, will be invited to hold office until the next AGM in March 2003.

Mr Brown has been left to hold the fort, almost single-handedly, since the resignations.

He said: "The matter of the outstanding bill will be discussed at the AGM and will be passed for payment as it has already been approved by the branch."

Mr Pearson, who resigned as branch chairman, is Tory Essex county councillor for Rochford East and a former chairman of Rochford District Council. He said he had no comment to make on the issue.

Published Wednesday October 23, 2002

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