A Labour councillor is retiring from political life due to ill health.

Joan Ellis, who represented Christchurch on Allerdale council, has announced she has resigned from her role.

She said: "My retirement is due to ill health over the last few months.

"The NHS staff, the treatment at the West Cumberland Hospital and at Carlisle have been magnificent. I hope to get through this with chemotherapy and surgery and to be back on my feet soon.

"It has been a pleasure and a joy to represent Christchurch ward residents and the community on Allerdale council and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of a Labour progressive cabinet."

Tory Mark Jenkinson also stepped down this week to concentrate on his job as MP for Workington.

He explained "an opportunity had arisen to do so now."

He said: "I was planning on stepping down next month to allow the by-election to take place at the same time as the Police and Crime Commissioner election. But with other councillors stepping down, I decided to do it now so the by-elections can take place at the same time."