A Falmouth councillor accused of "throwing his toys out of the pram" and leaving meetings early to play cards, has been accepted back onto the town council's planning committee only months after he resigned.

Steve Eva walked away from the committee earlier this year after claiming it was being run in an "unprofessional" way. Since then, it has operated on a membership of seven after no other councillor came forward to fill the vacancy.

At the council's annual meeting, Mr Eva volunteered to go back onto the committee, but a decision was deferred until last week's planning meeting when the matter was debated in full.

Councillor Rowenna Brock said: "My initial reaction when this come through was 'absolutely no way' because you left because something went against how you wanted it to go and you threw your toys out of the pram.

"However, you are an incredibly valuable member of the planning committee and you have masses of knowledge and can contribute so much so I will support you coming back onto the committee. It is your last chance, I am aware you did this before."

Former mayor, Geoffrey Evans, added: "I cannot see any reason not to (allow him back onto the committee). He is very good at planning, you can't argue with that. There is no reason to keep him off."

Councillor Alan Jewell said: "Steve is a valuable member when he is there. Hopefully now he has finished playing cards, he can stay at meetings and have a better attendance record, but he did throw his toys out of the pram."

Defending the fact he used to regularly leave committee and council meetings early, Mr Eva said: "I have never denied why I left meetings early, I had other commitments. I used to run a group of people who do not get out and it gave them a chance to get together. That was helping the community."

He added: "I did not throw my toys out of the pram. I had met with the mayor several times and said I believed the committee was unprofessional. They should not be having jokes when discussing someone's application - I didn't think it was professional and I didn't want any part of it.

"I have attended the last three meetings and I do believe they have got a lot better than they used to be. If you want me to come back, I am happy to come back."

The majority of the committee agreed to accept Mr Eva back, although Diana Merrett wanted her name recorded as voting against.