A husband and wife team have formed their own political party after being kicked out of the Liberal Democrats.

Councillors Nick and Maddy Ellwood, who represent Hailsham on Wealden District Council, were ousted from the national party after their behaviour was called into question and have formed Wealden Independents.

The move has sparked resignations from sympathetic colleagues.

Coun Nick Ellwood said: "We won't be making any comments until the extraordinary council meeting on November 25 or 28. We feel it's right to talk to the council first.

"All I can say is we had our membership revoked and that John Glover and Ian Haffenden have resigned from the Lib Dem group and others may follow."

Coun Glover, who represents Hellingly, will lead Wealden Independents and Coun Haffenden, former Hailsham mayor, will also join.

He said: "I have resigned from the Wealden constituency group of the Lib Dems because I feel the process by which the Ellwoods were removed was flawed and unjust and I blame the Wealden constituency group for that."

Coun Allan Thurley, who is standing down as leader of the Lib Dems for the Wealden constituency, said: "The council group doesn't agree with the constituency party's decision to get rid of the Ellwoods. My belief that they are wrong makes if difficult for me to stand as leader."

He will remain a Lib Dem and be replaced as leader by Coun Eddie Rice.

Barry Coward, press officer for the Lib Dem Wealden parliamentary constituency, refused to go into details about the Ellwoods' case.