TEMPERS flared during a debate to select Romsey's deputy mayor-elect.

Former Romsey mayor Roger Shaw was furious when Liberal Democrat Mark Cooper's name was put forward at Tuesday's meeting of the town council.

Livid Conservative member Mr Shaw claimed an agreement was made behind the scenes that Romsey hairdresser John Ray should become deputy town mayor in May. But Mr Cooper refused to say whether this was the case or not. Councillor Alan Marsh, who nominated Mr Cooper for deputy mayor, told members that it was a tradition to put forward candidates names at an informal and confidential meeting.

Mr Marsh argued that Tuesday's full council meeting was not the place to discuss who should become mayor-elect and deputy mayor-elect.

He said: "I've been on the council for 20 years and never come across this before. @The procedure in the past has been for an informal confidential meeting." Town mayor Jill Gethin said the council's job was to ratify the appointments.

Backing Mr Ray's nomination, Conservative Cheryl Collier reminded members that it was a formal meeting (on Tuesday) and she and other Tories did not agree with confidential meetings to choose mayors and their deputies.

Councillor Peter Daw said: "Surely we must deal with this now." Mr Cooper confirmed what Mr Marsh had told the council was correct but he added: "Madam mayor, you decide how you want to run your council."

A vote was taken on who should become the town's next mayor. Mike Richardson was chosen to become Romsey's new first citizen. But when it came to the choice of deputy mayor-elect eruptions followed.

Mr Shaw reminded councillors that last year there was what he described as an "undertaking given" during a meeting that John Ray should be deputy mayor during the year beginning May, 2006.

Mr Cooper said details of that meeting were "confidential" and he refused to go into detail. Responding, an irate Mr Shaw said: "In view of that, is Councillor Cooper to stand by what was decided at that meeting or does he wish his name to go forward?"

Replying, Mr Cooper said: "I am very thankful for my name to go forward. I don't ever discuss what is confidential."

At this point Mr Daw challenged Mr Cooper about confidentiality. Further clashes followed between Mr Cooper and Mr Shaw, which led to the mayor stepping in and asking them to continue their disagreement outside the council chamber.

When it was put to the vote, Mr Cooper's nomination was backed by eight councillors, with five against and one abstention.

This means Councillor Cooper should become mayor in 2007, when the town celebrates the 400th anniversary of its charter. Earlier at the meeting, Mr Cooper and Mr Shaw clashed over the town council's precept.

Mr Cooper told members the Lib Dem-controlled authority, Test Valley, had the 22nd lowest council precept.

This upset Mr Shaw. He told him Mr Cooper: "Don't boast how low the precept is when the council is drawing on its reserves."