THE chairman of Nelson Town Council has stepped down to spend more time with his sick wife.

County councillor George Adam resigned from the role at a meeting on Wednesday to look after his wife Rose, who recently suffered a stroke.

But he will continue as county councillor for Nelson South.

Coun Adam said: “My wife has not been very well and I realised I’d been putting my council duties before her.

"I realised I had to put family first and that is why I resigned from this role, to spend more time with my wife and be by her side.”

Nelson resident and chairman of Whitefield Community Forum Irfan Ahmed paid tribute to the work done by Mr Adam.

He said: “I was shocked to see Coun Adam resign.

“I believe it is a sad affair that he has resigned as the chairman and as a councillor on Nelson Town Council and I wish him the best of luck in whatever he decides to do in the future.

“Coun Adam did a brilliant job campaigning for a new primary school in Nelson's Whitefield ward and deserves praise for all his hard work.”