A by-election has been triggered in Costessey after a Liberal Democrat councillor resigned.

Jan Hardinge, who was first elected in 2011, has quit her post on South Norfolk District Council and Costessey Parish Council.

It means that a new member will be elected to represent New Costessey on the district council on May 2 - the same date as Norfolk County Council elections.

Mrs Harding was practise manager at Roundwell Medical Centre on Dr Torrens Way in Costessey.

But she has quit politics after getting a new job in Birmingham.

Mrs Hardinge said it had been difficult to fulfil her council duties and attend meetings while spending the week working in Birmingham and only coming home to Norwich at weekends.

She said: 'I have enjoyed serving the community and I'm sorry to give it up.

'Should things change in the future I would like to take it up again.'

Her new job involves working for Virgin Care which runs medical practices in the West Midlands.

The Liberal Democrat councillor served on the district council's licensing, appeals and complaints standards committee.

She was also a member of the Northern River Valleys Neighbourhood Board.

Mrs Hardinge is married with two children.

Candidates have until April 5 to put their name forward for the elections.

The list of candidates will be published by South Norfolk Council on April 10.

It is thought that parish councillors will co-opt a member to fill the vacancy left by Mrs Hardinge on that council.