THE leader of Durham City Council has stood down because she is suffering from breast cancer.

Sue Pitts, who has held the reins of power since last year's Liberal Democrat victory in the former Labour stronghold, said the illness meant she could no longer give the job the care it deserved.

The Liberal Democrat group has elected Fraser Reynolds, cabinet member for the environment and community development, as her successor.

Coun Pitts, who has been a councillor since 1983 and group leader for most of that time, said: "I am enormously proud of what the Liberal Democrat administration has achieved in its first 18 months and am very grateful to have had the ability to shape that.

"Now I have been diagnosed as having breast cancer I am no longer able to give the job of leader the care Durham deserves. I am really sorry to have to resign but I am confident that Fraser Reynolds will make an excellent leader. He has the support of the whole Liberal Democrat group."

Coun Reynolds, who represents Bearpark and Witton Gilbert, said: "Becoming leader of Durham City Council is a great honour.

"I wish, however, that it would have happened in different circumstances.

"Sue Pitts will be a hard act to follow. When we took control of the council 18 months ago confidence was low. Under Sue's guidance we have turned the corner and have laid the foundations for a brighter future."

He thanked Coun Pitts for her hard work and contribution to the council and wished her a speedy recovery.

A council spokesman added that Coun Pitts would continue to serve as a councillor for the Elvet ward in the centre of the city.

Coun Reynolds, 59, served on the council from 1984 to 1996 and re-joined at the last election. He used to work in the insurance industry, has two grown-up children, and has been a Witton Gilbert parish councillor for 25 years.

He said he had been elected unanimously and that Coun Pitts' announcement had come 'out of the blue' and was a bit of a shock.

He said the council had made great strides since the last election and he hoped to continue that.

Coun Grenville Holland will continue as deputy leader.