Hard-up councillor trying to sell medals

Bishop's Castle councillor, Peter Phillips, revealed that he will put the rare military artefacts up for auction after having his salary almost cut in half in 2009.

He said: "It's a bit sad but my salary has pretty well halved this year - it never reached the national average - so I have to look hard at ways of plugging the gaps.

"There are lots of people enduring hard times these days more than I."

Councillor Phillips served in the Sultan of Oman's Air Force from 1985 to 1988.

He said of his military service: "Oman's a spectacular country with lovely people. I was very lucky."

Councillor Phillips as has a commemorative medallion from an earlier tour from 1974 to 1976," when the town, Salalah, was still ringed with wire and roads had to be swept for mines each morning due to the communist-led insurrection" along with his medals.

The Shropshire councillor added that Sultan Qaboos has led Oman in an enlightened way, for example; internationally applauded conservation credentials and a health service among the top 10 in the world.

The Shropshire councillor has now taken the medals to Spink, the specialist medal auctioneers in London.

"They are going to value them but if they are less than £500 they won't auction them, they will make me a cash offer," said Councillor Phillips.

The news comes after Councillor Phillips handed over the leadership of Shropshire's Liberal Democrats in September.

Councillor Phillips, who had been the leader for a decade, said he felt it was an appropriate time for a change after he suffered from life-threatening blood clots in May and June.

He said: "I have had a rotten year one way or another. I nearly died in May and my income has halved. It is really sad. Every £50 or £100 quid is important when you are a bit pressed.

"Perhaps someone in Shropshire might be interested in the medals?"

Councillor Phillips is now waiting to hear from the experts.

By Sophie Bignall