Redcar and Cleveland Council leader Mary Lanigan is recovering at home after suffering a heart attack.

Cllr Lanigan, who heads up the Independent/Liberal Democrat coalition on the council, spent three nights in James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, after falling ill.

She was later discharged and allowed to return home, but has been ordered to rest by doctors.

Councillor Karen King, who as deputy leader has been fulfilling some of Cllr Lanigan’s duties, said: “Mary has worked tirelessly over many years for the people of Loftus as their ward councillor and throughout the whole borough as leader of the council so I am sure I speak for everyone in wishing her a full and speedy recovery as she recuperates at home.  

“She would like me to pass on her sincere thanks to all of the medics and coronary care staff for their excellent care and to say thank you to everyone for the kind words, messages of support, cards and flowers received.

“She hopes to be back soon.”

Cllr Lanigan’s independent colleague Councillor Wayne Davies said: “She is taking a little bit of time off and has been advised to take things slowly over the next few days.

“Already she is getting back to her old self and wanting to get on with the business of the borough.

“Nothing pleases her more than doing what she does and cracking on with the job at hand.”

Cllr Davies added: “I’ve known Mary for a long time and loads of people have been asking about her.

“I went to see her at home and she was raring to go, but is taking the doctors’ advice.”

Opposition figures also passed on their best wishes to Cllr Lanigan.

Conservative Councillor Vera Rider said: “She is very likeable and hard working.”
Cllr Lanigan lives in Easington, east Cleveland, and became council leader in May last year.

She has spent 18 years on the local authority, taking various cabinet and committee roles, including planning, transport and scrutiny.

Cllr Lanigan is also a member of the cabinet at the Tees Valley Combined Authority and is on the board of the South Tees Development Corporation, which has responsibility for the former SSI steelworks site in Redcar.