A POPULAR Greenwich councillor is the latest victim of a series of surprising deselections in the borough.

Councillor Mary Mills, who represents Peninsula ward and has been on the local authority since 2000, was deselected as a Labour candidate for the next election at a meeting last night.

The councillor, who topped the poll for her ward in 2010,  is known for her historical knowledge, independent stance and open approach to communicating with residents, leading to an outcry online over the decision.

She told News Shopper: "I suppose my next step is to have a holiday - I've not had a break since my husband died over six years ago - and think things over.

"I have tried very hard to serve the people of east Greenwich - but clearly didn't do it well enough."

She joins an increasingly long list of councillors who have been deselected ahead of next year's elections, including deputy leader Councillor Peter Brooks and cabinet member Councillor Peter Kotz - both from Thamesmead Moorings ward - and Plumstead's Sajid Jawaid.

Elsewhere, Woolwich Common's Councillor Rajwant Sidhu has been kicked out of the local Labour group, Blackheath's Councillor Alex Grant is standing down after accusing Labour of bullying, while the Tories' Councillor Eileen Glover was also deselected earlier this year.

Labour will now field Chris Lloyd, Denise Scott-Mcdonald and Stephen Brain as their candidates for Peninsula ward next year.