The leader of Redbridge Council's Conservative group has stepped down after Labour took control of the authority in Thursday's election.

Councillor Keith Prince had been council leader in coalition with the Liberal Democrats since May 2009.

Cllr Prince has announced he will continue his role as councillor in Barkingside ward.

He said: "I have never aspired to being leader of the opposition so I did not let my name go forward in the leadership ballot.

"Looking back at the last five years it has been a real privilege to serve the people of Redbridge as Leader of the Council. 

"We have delivered much over the period:  Council Tax frozen; over 6,000 new school places; weekly green waste collection all year round; not a single library closed in fact one opened; investment all over the borough and  one of my proudest achievements, siting the East London rape crisis centre in Redbridge when other boroughs refused to take it on.

"I leave office with a borough in  a very strong position financially, a party having, survived a relentless onslaught from Labour and stopped UKIP in its tracks."