Otley'S mayor-elect missed his own mayor making because he was in Holland looking at the windmills and catching up on his favourite band.

Councillor Nigel Francis says he was unable to make the annual ceremony because he had promised his four-year-old son a rare holiday.

As reported last week, Coun Francis caused controversy by missing the mayor-making ceremony at Otley Civic Centre.

And now a former town councillor is refusing to let Coun Francis off lightly and is calling for him to turn down the office - or for the council to take a vote of no confidence.

Ray Dunn said Coun Francis had insulted the people of Otley.

"Coun Francis should apologise and not take up his position as town mayor. He has shamed the honour and the position.

"He may not do the honourable thing in which case it is up to the council members to have a vote of no confidence," he added.

But Coun Francis said a combination of Bank holidays and a tight schedule, including commitments with his Hang on to a Dream charity, had meant he had been forced to miss the meeting.

"I'd promised my lad for his fourth birthday that I'd take him to see the windmills, I also wanted to see the Dutch group I support," he said.

Coun Francis added that he was also not fully confident that he was going to be re-elected onto his Danefield ward seat.

"I was told that I wasn't going to get in - there was no certainty that I would get in and be mayor," he said.

Coun Francis, the only Independent councillor on the town council, added: "I had just five days holiday last year, it was unfortunate, but I certainly don't go overboard with holidays.

"There was no intention of disrespect to the people of Otley or the town council, I was quite happy to have the meeting on another day, but it just wasn't possible."

Opposition councillors at the council's annual general meeting on May 13 were furious when it was announced that Coun Francis had a 'previous commitment' and was not able to make the ceremony.

Outgoing town mayor, Coun Gerard Francis - Nigel's brother - was left to continue in his role until the next full council meeting which is on Monday, June 2.

Coun Nigel Francis plans to formally accept the office of mayor at the meeting when he will also host a small reception for councillors and residents.

And he is looking forward to a slightly shorter reign as mayor during which he hopes to get involved in more of the town's annual events.

"There are some events like Otley Show and the cycle race that the mayor is not invited to. I'm sure its not deliberate and that it slips their minds, but I would like to get more involved," he said.