A MUM of four, who stormed to victory in a by-election for a seat in Winwick Parish Council in 2013, has revealed the reasons why she stepped down from the post.

Kath Cookson, who has lived in Warrington for more than 20 years, has spoken of the difficult decision to leave the council but said it was the right one at this time.

The 46-year-old, who lives in Winwick, said she was delighted to be given the opportunity to represent the people of Winwick but said her desire to make a difference proved to be too difficult of a task to complete.

She said: "I decided to stand in the by-election so I could be a part of the council and help people.

"I wanted to represent the people of Winwick but I didn't feel like I could do that.

"I want to thank those who voted for me and I am sorry to anyone who feels that I have let them down.

"But I felt like there was one person making the decisions on the parish council and I didn't think that was fair."

Kath said she did not want to reveal the identity of the person she claims is calling the shots but added that her time on the council quickly turned from happiness to frustration.

She put this down to not being able to make the difference she hoped she would be able to.

A heartbreaking chain of family deaths also helped her to make the decision to leave the parish council.

She said: "I have been looking after everyone but myself. I just need some time to focus on me.

"The parish council was just one of the things that had to go."

Kath, who stood as an independent councillor, was elected in 2013 after polling more than twice as many votes as the rest of her rivals in what was described as a disappointing night for the main parties.

She has not ruled out running again but, for now, she wants to focus on getting her health back on track.