A PROMINENT Eastleigh councillor has quit to launch a chauffeuring business.

Keith Trenchard has been a Liberal Democrat councillor for Eastleigh’s Central Ward for the last six years.

But he has now resigned from the authority to run a VIP chauffeuring firm.

His departure from the public life has triggered a by-election that will he be held on May 4 along with the county council elections.

Mr Trenchard tried to manage his role as local councillor and his new business since he set it up in January. However, he soon realised that it was not possible and had to make a life-changing decision.

“I wanted to do both but I clearly realised that it wasn’t going to work. I just can’t find the time to do all. It’s nothing else than work commitment to start a new business,” he said.

The 47-year-old has worked in the transport industry for the last 30 years.

His political career started in 2011 when he won his seat defeating Andy Moore and joined the Liberal Democrats at Eastleigh Borough Council.

“To become a councillor appealed to me because I like helping people and that was a way to do it,” he said.

"The biggest achievement has been being part of the committee for the change of Eastleigh town centre and all the other projects across the borough."

Mr Trenchard was also the co-founder of the popular yearly community event Mardi Gras in Eastleigh.

His resignation as councillor leaves now uncertainty about the future of the event.

“I’m not sure that there will be a Mardi Gras this year. It’s a lot of work for people to organise it and it was only few of us who did it. It’s a lot of planning and time that I can’t find anymore.”