Port St Mary commissioner Richard Ashcroft has resigned from the board with immediate effect.

Mr Ashcroft issued a public statement at the end of the public meeting of the board on Wednesday evening to say he was resinging with a ’heavy heart’.

He said his decision was due to increased pressure of business interests and potential new projects in the pipeline.

Mr Ashcroftis co-owner of the popular Patchwork cafe in the village and the Carrick Rooms guesthouse. He also owns an outdoor catering and events business.He said during his seven years at the Commissioners he had been involved in bringing the town hall back to life and secured a £25,000 grant for lighting and sound equipment in the building.Mr Ashcroft said he had first stood for election not for any political ambitions but to try to bring people back to the village and make it a better place to live for families.