A second Worthing councillor is representing his constituents from abroad, it was revealed today.

Northbrook Conservative councillor Alan Whiteley is working in Qatar on a six-month contract which may be extended.

Last month The Argus reported that Durrington councillor Richard Falk was still claiming £3,000 in allowances from taxpayers after moving to the Isle of Man.

Councillor Bob Smytherman, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Worthing Borough Council, said: "This is the second Tory councillor to represent their residents 'offshore'.

"I am pleased that Councillor Whiteley has decided not to claim his allowance. However, this will be little comfort to those residents who voted for him to represent their views at the town hall."

Coun Whiteley, a former soldier, was elected to the Northbrook ward in June last year and is believed to be working in the security industry.

Coun Smytherman said Coun Whiteley had resigned from the development control committee in July and had ceased claiming allowances to take up the Qatar job.

He did not believe Coun Whiteley should resign as he was up for re-election next spring anyway.

Councillor Tom Wye, Worthing's Conservative agent, said: "Alan hasn't taken his allowances since he went to Qatar.

"His ward work is being dealt with by Councillor Mary Harding.

"He is on a six-month contract which may or may not be extended. Because of this uncertainty he has decided to hang on.

"Nobody in Northbrook is suffering. We hope to see him back on leave very shortly for the full council meeting in December."

Coun Harding, his Tory colleague in Northbrook, said she was coping well.

She said: "I do communicate with him by email quite often if there are any queries. I would rather he was here but the whole Conservative team covers each other."

Last week Coun Falk flew in from Douglas on the Isle of Man to attend a full council meeting and a development control meeting.

He moved to the middle of the Irish Sea in July, sparking demands for his resignation, which he has resisted.

Coun Falk said: "The plan is to continue until April to avoid the considerable expense of a by-election, which isn't the best use of public money.

"It is not an ideal situation. But, nowadays, it is less of a problem because of modern communications such as email and mobile phones."