The chief executive of Thanet council Dr Sue McGonigal has resigned from her £110,000 a year post.

Dr McGonigal has been absent from her role since June when an investigation launched into the circumstances surrounding a planning application to build several hundred homes at a business park.

Citing ill health as the reason for her six-month absence, Dr McGonigal will not work notice at the council.

Thanet's director of community services, Madeline Homer, who took over as interim chief executive in June, will continue to stand in.

Council leader Iris Johnston told KentOnline she received Dr McGonigal's resignation on December 31.

An email was sent today telling staff about the move.

Cllr Johnston said the recruitment of a new chief executive will start "very soon."