Helen Holland turns down Bristol deputy mayor role

A former leader of Bristol City Council has turned down the chance to become deputy mayor.

Labour's Helen Holland had been offered to role by independent mayor George Ferguson but announced she would not take up the post.

On Saturday, Ms Holland thanked her Twitter followers and everybody who had "spoken to me about this decision"

Mr Ferguson said Ms Holland was his first choice but understood her "good reasons" for declining the job.

Previously, local Labour party members voted to boycott the cabinet but councillors have gone against this.

Architect Mr Ferguson won the mayoral election last week with a total of 37,353 votes, ahead of Labour's Marvin Rees.

Labour will be also offered three cabinet posts while three other positions will be offered to different parties.