CHESHIRE East Council chiefs have told a councillor to stay away from a council meeting after he threatened to attend despite testing positive for coronavirus.

Marc Asquith, who represents Chelford, revealed in an email to his colleagues that he was planning to be at the borough authority's full council meeting at Macclesfield Leisure Centre this morning (Tuesday) - although he received news of a positive Covid-19 test last night.

Under NHS guidelines people are usually required to self-isolate for 10 days after testing positive or if they have have been in close contact with someone who has.

Since last month councillors across England have been required to return to holding face-to-face meetings after provisions for virtual sessions enabled by government statutory legislation expired.

The change has been criticised because of the age of some council members as well as that it has forced councils to seek larger premises to maintain social distancing. Crewe's Municipal Buildings remains closed for Cheshire East meetings because of safety concerns.

Cllr Asquith, a barrister who counts hang gliding among his hobbies, told fellow councillors that "given that I have had two jabs, I am not concerned."

He also added that since he suffered from a skin condition he cannot wear a mask, but he would go to the meeting wearing a visor and added "those of you who are shielding may wish to keep social distancing from me."

His plans triggered swift condemnation from fellow councillors and party leaders.

Crewe South councillor Laura Smith said that she would not be attending as she was "not fully jabbed" and did not want to put "vulnerable" members of her family at risk.

She tweeted: "The government caused this by not extending the law that allowed councils to hold meetings online. I don't trust any of them to put the well-being of others first. This meeting could be online."

Cheshire East Conservatives said its group leader, Janet Clowes, had been alerted to Cllr Asquith's email and the party has told him to issue an apology.

"[Cllr Asquith has been] told that in the interests of public and member confidence, he must not attend today's Council meeting," they said.

Later this morning Cheshire East Council tweeted: "We have been informed that Councillor Asquith has offered his apologies for today's Council meeting, and will not attend".