A UKIP politician who defied the odds by triumphing four years ago at Worcestershire County Council is quitting his seat.

Councillor Stuart Cross is stepping down at May's elections after saying he is struggling to fit the role in alongside his day job and family.

The decision is a blow to the UK Independence Party, which holds just two of the 57 seats at County Hall.

In 2013 he caused a major upset by booting former Conservative cabinet member Jane Potter from her seat by just 58 votes.

Cllr Cross said: "I've got two young daughters aged two and three and I work in Coventry, I haven't got the time to do it.

"I've really enjoyed it and I'd love to do it again, but I've told them I won't be standing for election this time, I'm stepping down.

"It's been a real eye-opener at times because I came into it new four years ago, at time it hasn't been what I expected, there's been a lot of politics.

"The meetings have been a bit like theatre - but I have enjoyed it, I just haven't got the time any more."

Four years ago UKIP stunned the larger parties by winning seats at County Hall for the first time, gaining four of them, before it was reduced to two.

Former UKIP councillor Eric Kitson resigned in disgrace just 10 days in after a raft of racist and anti-Semitic posts were found on his Facebook page, while fellow newly-elected councillor Tony Baker tragically died of a heart attack a month after being elected.

And in 2014 former UKIP county councillor Martin Jenkins quit over the party's refusal to endorse same sex marriage, sparking a by-election which saw Cllr Peter Bridle enter County Hall.

UKIP has slipped to single digits in the polls, with YouGov suggesting its popularity has taken a hit since people voted for Brexit, falling below the Liberal Democrats into fourth place under the leadership of Paul Nuttall.

Worcester News:

Cllr Cross is just the latest in a line of several councillors known to be stepping down in May, with as many as 10 preparing to give their seats up.

The Worcester News reported this past week how Councillor Marc Bayliss, the current cabinet member for children and families, is quitting due to work commitments, while Councillor Anthony and Sheila Blagg are also departing, leaving three senior leadership roles to fill.

But several backbenchers are also not contesting their seats, with all the nominations having to be submitted to County Hall by 4pm on Tuesday to beat the deadline.