Cllr Steve Hastings has stepped down from his role as leader of the Isle of Wight Council's Conservative group, due to ill health.

The party will elect a new leader on Friday, December 3.

In a statement, the member for Central Wight said:"A few weeks ago, I became ill and have been on medication and receiving treatment since then.

"I am grateful to all fellow members of the Isle of Wight Council for their kind words of support and good wishes."

He was elected into the role when the Conservatives lost control of the council - and the former leader, Dave Stewart - in May.

Cllr Hastings is also chair of the Council’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee and thanked Cllr Chris Quirk stepping in for him.

Cllr Hastings says he will continue in that role until January, when a new Conservative group leader will put forward a nomination to replace him, during a a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council.

Cllr Hastings said: "Although I have begun to improve, I am still far from back to full strength.

"I need to prioritise my health over the coming weeks and months, in order that I have the best possible prospects of a full recovery.

"I have therefore decided to step down as leader of the Conservative Group with immediate effect."

His departure from the leading position comes just days after Council Leader Lora Peacey-Wilcox revealed she would also be stepping back, but temporarily.

In a statement, previously reported by the County Press, the Alliance Group, which runs the council, said: "Lora will be taking a short period away from Council work to recover and recharge her batteries so we ask that members of the press and public respect this."