A DOVER District Chamber of Commerce board member has quit.

Alan Shirley tendered his resignation last week, stating he wanted to focus on other foreign business interests.

In a press statement, he said: "The reason that I now decide to comment is that I will shortly be travelling to Singapore and Sydney for a protracted period in order to concentrate on my business interests in those locations. I have, therefore, for these personal reasons alone, tendered my resignation to the board of Dover and District Chamber of Commerce."

Chamber chief executive David Foley said Mr Shirley had been a great asset.

He said: "We are sad to see Mr Shirley leave. We are all volunteers and he gave great service to the chamber and its members. We fully understand his reasons for leaving and wish him all the best for the future

"We will look to fill his position in the near future, and will be interviewing applicants at the appropriate time."

Mr Shirley has left just weeks after chamber president Cameron Macsween said he was temporarily standing down after the Express revealed he was the subject of a police investigation into an allegation of fraud.