Harlow councillor Lorna Spenceley has announced that she will be stepping down as leader of the council's Liberal Democrat group later this month.

The move paves the way for the Liberal Democrats to elect a new leader at their group's Annual General Meeting on Monday 23 May.

Mrs Spenceley said:

"I became leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harlow Council in 1991, on my first day as a councillor, and I've led the group for fourteen continuous years, which must be some kind of record.

During that time, the Labour group on the council has had five different leaders, and the number of Tory councillors elected by local residents has varied between twelve and zero.

The Liberal Democrats now have a strong local team, and during our three years of influence on Harlow Council we've played the major part in setting the council back on the long and difficult road to recovery. We've also some significant local achievements to our credit, such as improved recycling rates, new street signs and waste bins, saving Nicholls Field and tackling anti-social behaviour.

I am looking forward to continuing to play a full and active part in the Liberal Democrat group and the local party. I shall give the new leader and his or her team my full support."