Southend's mayor has announced he will be stepping down following the local election date reshuffle.

Graham Longley (Lib Dem, Blenheim) could have stayed in his post until June 7 but will now step down on May 10 after pressure from Tory leaders.

He will become deputy for a month while Howard Briggs will be interim mayor until he officially takes on the role after the elections in June.

Mr Longley will then step down from all mayoral duties, paving the way for new deputy Alan Crystall.

It means Mr Longley will still be able to host the outgoing mayor's ball and complete his duties at the annual council meeting.

He said: "By taking this unprecedented step I will enable councillor Howard Briggs to fulfil the engagements that have been planned for him to carry out during May and the beginning of June.

"I have greatly enjoyed my time as mayor and although I am sorry to be stepping down, this is the right thing to do for the borough of Southend and I would like to take this opportunity to wish councillor Briggs a very successful year."

Council leader Charles Latham said: "I appreciate the very hard decision councillor Longley has had to take to resolve this difficult situation.

"He has worked tirelessly for the borough during his year as mayor."

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