A CONTROVERSIAL council leader has brought forward his promised resignation from early next year and quit yesterday instead.

Ribble Valley Tory boss Ken Hind said on Wednesday he would stand down in January.

Following pressure from party colleagues, he yesterday announced he had resigned with effect from midnight.

His deputy Cllr Stephen Atkinson becomes interim leader until a new one is elected.

In October the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the Cllr Hind faced a Ribble Valley Council inquiry into a complaint of bullying from Conservative colleague Cllr Sue Bibby.

At the time, he also faced a now closed police investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. He may yet face a probe by the Conservative Party nationally.

Over the summer five councillors quit the council Tory group.

His early resignation has been welcomed

LibDem leader Cllr Allan Knox said: "It is right that he resigned early ending his era of division.."

Democratic Conservative leader Cllr Hill said: "This is the correct decision. Now he should resign as a councillor."

Cllr Hind will stay on as councillor for Dilworth and stand for re-election in May.

Billington and Old Langho Tory councillor Cllr Ged Mirfin said: "We are grateful for what Ken has done to modernise the council."