A councillor has stepped down from the district council, saying increased work commitments mean he no longer has time to fulfill his duties.

Daryn Hufton-Rees was first elected to Braintree Council in the Hatfield Peverel and Terling ward in May 2015.

In his resignation letter, Mr Hufton-Rees said increased work commitments meant he could not devote the time required to being a councillor.

Braintree Council confirmed a date for a by-election has not yet been set.

Stephen Kirby, chairman of Braintree Council, said: "I would like to thank Mr Hufton-Rees for his contributions to the council and the support he has given to the constituents of the ward of Hatfield Peverel and Terling."

According to Braintree Council data, Mr Hufton-Rees attended 56 per cent of full council meetings between his election and October 2017.

Braintree Council rules state there is no minimum required attendance for councillors and no reasons have to be given for non-attendance.

A councillor must attend a meeting every six months unless a leave of absence is granted.