AN independent councillor has left the ruling coalition group on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Marske independent councillor Mike Findley, the council's older people's champion, said he had taken the decision because he found it increasingly difficult to maintain his independence in the coalition group.

He said: "People in the Longbeck ward elected me as an independent, not a dependent, not controlled by any other person or group.

"I have to be honest to them and true to myself."

Coun Findley said it would be up to the council to decide if he would keep his place on the health and social care scrutiny committee and continue the work he started as the council's older people's champion.

He said: "I'm now totally independent and free to ask questions of the cabinet, free to speak my mind in council, and free to vote the way I want too in council, on behalf of those people who elected me, with even more time to work on their behalf."

* Coun Findley was elected chairman of Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council last week.