LABOUR councillor Glenis Simms has resigned from her post on Dudley Council, citing personal reasons.

The 42-year-old, who has been a councillor for the last six years and served St Thomas's ward since 2015, made the "very difficult decision" to stand down on December 31.

"Being a councillor has given me a great opportunity to do what I love best, which is to try and help other people who are in need," she said.

"I have been immensely proud to be a part of Dudley Council, during both my time as a councillor for the past six years and eight years prior to that as a voluntary member of the children's services committee.

"Dudley is full of wonderful people who are the salt of the earth and it has been a privilege to have met many of them over the years."

The mum-of-six, who defected to the Labour Party in 2014, claiming the Conservatives were "out of touch with ordinary people", has said that for the foreseeable future, she will be taking "a complete break" from politics and will not be a member of any party.

"I am still very eager to do what I can for the people of Dudley and after a period of time away to sort out my personal life I will look towards charity work. Politics is not something that you can do in a half measure it has to be 100 per cent and it's not fair to the people if you can't give that."

Mrs Simms, a qualified social worker, added: "I don't know what the future will bring, but I hope that all parties can work together for the benefit of Dudley, which is a town I will always be proud to call my home."

Responding to the news, the leader of the council, Councillor Pete Lowe, said he respected Mrs Simms "very highly as a community activist" and said that after a number of conversations, he understood her rationale and wished her the best for the future.

Well-wishes also came from the former deputy leader of Dudley Council, Tim Wright, who took to Facebook to tell Mrs Simms that she had been a “very good councillor” who had “served the people of Dudley well”.

Mr Wright, who was a Conservative councillor for Gornal, added: “Put your feet up, forget leaflets and letterboxes, sniping and griping. Raise a glass and think 'I did my best'.”

Wollaston and Stourbridge Town councillor Nicolas Barlow also made his feelings about Mrs Simms’ “perfectly understandable” decision known.

He said: “Your compassion and empathy always shone through and will continue to do so. Irrespective of parties, we need more people like you.”

A Dudley Council spokesman said a by-election for Mrs Simms' St Thomas's seat would be held "in due course".