Kent's under-fire oil boss Tony Hayward is to step down from his post as Chief Executive of BP.

The company has confirmed Mr Hayward, from Sevenoaks, will end his role on October 1.

He will then take up a non-executive position on the board of BP's Russian venture - TNK-BP. It means his 28-year career at the firm will continue - but he will be removed from dealings with the US, where recent criticism of both him and the company has been rife.

The Russian arm is a significant part of the company and represents a quarter of BP's production.

Mr Hayward will be replaced by American Bob Dudley - who is already in charge of the Gulf of Mexico oil clean-up.