The balance of power at Norfolk County Council is set to be tested, after another member of the alliance which controls County Hall resigned.

Dave Thomas, Liberal Democrat, today announced his resignation, which will trigger a by-election for his South Smallburgh division.

Voters are likely to go to the polls on Thursday, November 19 - the same day as a by-election will be held in Watton, following last month's resignation of UKIP's Stan Hebborn.

Norfolk County Council is currently controlled by an alliance of Labour, UKIP and the Liberal Democrats, with support from the Green Party. The Conservative group are in opposition.

The political make-up, following the resignations of Mr Thomas and Mr Hebborn, is: 40 Conservative, 14 Labour, 13 UKIP and Independent, nine Liberal Democrats, four Greens, two non-aligned and two vacancies. Mr Thomas was elected in 2013. He succeeded Paul Rice, who had defected from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives.

Dr Marie Strong, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Norfolk County Council, said work commitments had led to Mr Thomas's decision.

She said: 'David Thomas is one of the most hard working and conscientious men I know and he had struggled very hard to maintain a full-time job and be a councillor in what is a rural parish. 'He felt he could not do both to the best of his ability, so took the decision to stand down.'