A NEW complaints procedure for residents unhappy with their local councillors has come into effect.

Complaints about the behaviour of any of the 100,000 councillors around the country can now be made to the Standards Board of England.

If found guilty of misconduct, they could be banned from office for up to five years.

Complaints must be put in writing to The Standards Board of England, PO Box 36656, London SE1 0WN. For more information, call 0800 107 2001 or go to its website at www.standardsboard.co.uk