Calne deputy mayor Mercy Baggs has left the United Kingdom Independence Party after less than a year amid rumours of a bust up in the party.

The 74-year-old town councillor, who was first elected in 1995, made her announcement on Friday, citing personal reasons.

On the same day her nephew Robert Baggs, who has stood unsuccessfully for the town council as a BNP candidate, wrote on his blog: "Today I learned that the local UKIP organisation is in turmoil as Mercy Baggs, who holds a seat on the town council, has resigned from the party to become an Independent.

"Apparently she has done so in disgust at being verbally abused by a member of her own party."

Coun Baggs switched to UKIP from the Conservative Party in January within days of fellow Tory councillors John Ireland and David Bland.

Coun Ireland said this week: "I do not regret Mercy Baggs leaving the party. The party will be better without her."

Coun Baggs, who became Calne Mayor in 1998 and is now serving as deputy mayor, would only say she was leaving due to personal reasons but will remain on the council as an Independent.

The move comes a month after UKIP councillor Jill Martin resigned from the council because of other committments and ten weeks after mayor Roy Golding left the Conservatives to serve as an Independent.

In her political career Coun Baggs has been a member of the Liberal Democrats as well as the Conservatives and UKIP.

Her latest switch means UKIP now has three members on the town council, Coun David Bland, Coun Ireland and Coun David Short. Coun David Bland said: "Mercy has come full circle now and it appears no party suits her needs.

"I hope she is happy as an Independent."

Coun Bland's wife Ellie is chair of Calne's UKIP branch. She said: "It is very sad when any member chooses to leave the party. Party preference is a very personal choice just as religion is. If you are not comfortable with your party it is only right you leave."

She said she had no knowledge of a bust up within the party and added that it was very sad that Robert Baggs had made the claim.

"I was not a part of this alleged spat between two members of the party and know nothing about it. I can confirm there are no problems within our party," she said.

The council will hold a by election in the New Year to replace Mrs Martin. Of the remaining 18 seats on the council, the Conservatives hold seven, the Lib Dems six, UKIP three and there are two Independents.