Richard Rhodes, Cumbria's crime commissioner, has announced he will not stand for re-election next year. 

Mr Rhodes was elected in November 2012 to oversee the county's police force, to replace the police authority's role.

His four-year term will end in May, but Mr Rhodes says his age has forced him to reconsider standing again. 

He said: "Sadly, I cannot ignore the fact that, as a result of trying to carry out my duties across the whole of Cumbria, I could still be driving up to 2,500 miles a month around the county at the age of 78 and that is probably not a very good idea!

"As a consequence, it is with very mixed feelings that I have decided not to stand for re-election." 

He said highlights of his term included raising the profile of victims of crime, launching the Cumbria-wide CCTV system and the forthcoming launch of the county's first sexual assault referral centre.

Mr Rhodes added that he would remain focused during the remainder of his term and concentrate on issues including the consultations to close magistrates courts in the county, including Workington.