FORMER Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott has resigned from her seat on the council.

Baroness Scott has stepped down from Bybrook ward in north Wiltshire after 25 years as a councillor which included 16 years as leader.

She has been appointed to a Government role in the House of Lords and so can no longer serve in an elected role.

Wiltshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Whitehead, said: "Jane has always been committed to doing her absolute best on behalf of the people and communities of Wiltshire throughout her time as both a councillor and as leader of Wiltshire Council. I would like to thank her for the brilliant work she did throughout her 25 years.

"I wish Jane all the best for the future and I’m sure she will excel in her new role.”

Baroness Scott said: “This is a very sad day for me. It has been a great pleasure but also a huge privilege to be a Wiltshire councillor and to support the Bybrook villages over 25 years. I will miss my job but I am looking forward to my new role in Government.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said a unitary by-election will take place for the Bybrook division and details of that will be confirmed soon