A councillor and former mayor was today suspended from the ruling Conservative group on Fenland Council following his appearance in court on a firearms charge.

Jonathan Farmer, 56, appeared before Kings Lynn magistrate following his arrest at his South Brink, Wisbech, home last month.

Officers with search dogs swooped in a 7.30am raid and took away a German Walther PPK pistol which dates back to the Second World War.

Farmer was represented in court by Jakki Upton of the law firm Metcalfe, Copeman and Pettefar.

Magistrates ruled that Farmer should face trial at Cambridge Crown Court on April 22 and was granted bail.

If found guilty, the former Wisbech mayor could face a five year prison term.

Farmer’s wife Susanah is acting town clerk of Wisbech following the dismissal last year of Erbie Murat.