THE chairman of Warrington North constituency Labour Party (CLP) has resigned.

Cllr Tony Higgins (LAB – Fairfield and Howley) was elected to the post in 2014 and earned re-election last year.

In an e-mail seen by the Warrington Guardian he told the Labour group that he was resigning, with immediate effect, after making the decision on Monday.

He said: "I want to focus my efforts and energies on building a better Warrington alongside my Labour colleagues."

Cllr Higgins, executive board member for leisure, community and culture, has since said part of the decision was also down to the 'ongoing upset in the Labour Party'.

He added: "I want to concentrate fully on my executive role and being a ward councillor to continue doing all I can to help residents."

The announcement follows the resignation of Richard Robinson, members' secretary, last week for 'personal reasons'.

Maureen Banner will take over as chairman of Warrington North CLP.

A vote on the chairmanship is set for October but sources say the matter could 'come before' the CLP earlier.