WENDY Marlow has stepped down as the leader of the Labour group on Maidstone Borough Council. Cllr Marlow, who won a seat in Shepway North Ward in last week's local elections, said she had taken the decision in order to concentrate on her work as the council's cabinet member for housing.

The publican has been a member of the borough council since 1991 and has led the Labour group for eight years.

A new group leader is due to be put forward for nomination and voted in at the group's annual meeting on Thursday night.

Cllr Marlow said: "I'm not going away anywhere and will still be on the council. I just feel it's time to step down and concentrate on the housing issues to ensure tenants are properly consulted, have their views heard and everything is done properly and above board. There is lots of work to be done."