A top city councillor is to stand down as the council's Leader of the Opposition. 

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald will not seek re-election as leader of Brighton and Hove City Council's Conservative Group.

The Conservatives are due to pick their next leader at their Annual General Meeting next month. 

In a statement Mr Theobald said: "At the last elections I advised my local Conservative Party Association that they would be my last, and I confirmed that again at the beginning of the new council term in 2015.

"So, as my colleagues in the Conservative Group know, I will be leaving the City Council in two years’ time when my term of office expires."

Mr Theobald has previously held council roles as cabinet member, committee chairman and mayor. 

He said he will spend the last two years of his term as councillor. 

He added: "I have been enormously proud of my involvement in bringing on to the council, and continuing to encourage, a number of new and younger Conservative councillors. 

"So, I think that the time is now right for those who will be leading the Conservative Party into the next local elections in two years’ time, and then forming what I expect to be a Conservative Administration, to take the lead."

A new leader will be elected on May 18.