Neighbours have written a letter expressing their “dismay” after a popular Conservative councillor was deselected.

Robert Calcutt, who represented Potters Bar for the Conservatives on Hertsmere Borough Council, was stunned when he was not picked to run for a seventh term in the May elections.

After 23 years of service, Mr Calcutt says it felt like a “kick in the teeth”.

But he has decided to stand as an Independent candidate instead – and a loyal band of supporters, who have all previously voted Tory, have vowed to follow him.

In a letter to Hertsmere Council from 14 residents of Forbes Avenue, in Potters Bar, the voters made their views clear.

Written by Elizabeth Scott and Kevin Liston, it said: “We would like to know how our local councillor Rob Calcutt can be deselected.

“We know he has offered excellent service as our councillor and wish to express our dismay at the way he appears to have been treated.

“We are sure he would seek to stand by his record of service, for us, and others, in our community at the next election.

“We feel that Mr Calcutt is our elected representative and as such as should have the right to offer our opinions in the proper manner in the up and coming elections and not through some back door manoeuvring as a close meeting of a committee as appears to be the case.”