The Leader of Kingston Council, Caroline Kerr, has resigned from her role and will be stepping down as leader before the local elections next year.

Cllr Kerr announced last night that she was leaving the role "with a heavy heart" and would be staying on as Leader until a replacement is found.

The shock news comes just seven months before the next local elections in May 2022, and a week to the date of last week's full Council meeting which saw a bid to save Kingston's Kingfisher leisure centre from demolition rejected.

In a statement, Cllr Kerr said: "It has been a huge honour to lead the Royal Borough and this is not a decision I have taken lightly."

She added: "These last 18 months have been a time of unprecedented challenge. It has taken a toll on us all.

"Like many, I have spent some time taking stock, reflecting on my commitments to the Council, my family and to the residents of Canbury.

"After much consideration and having led the Council through this challenging period, I have decided that I must stand down as Leader."

Cllr Kerr has been Leader of the Council for 18 months after taking over from fellow Lib-Dem Cllr Liz Green in March 2020.

Last month her administration faced pressure over the decision to axe the Kingfisher leisure centre and spend £40 million on a new pool for the borough.

The plans split Lib-Dem Councillors and sparked Cllr Jon Tolley's decision to resign in September and stand as an independent.

Cllr Tolley said on Twitter that he didn't see Cllr Kerr's resignation coming.

Commenting on Cllr Kerr's statement, he wrote: "I guess the question is, will a new leader start talking sensible Lib Dem pragmatism or run with what's been decided recently? what does this mean for Kingfisher, for Cambridge Road Estate, for everything."

He added: "I wish the Lib Dem group well. Got a few months to sort this mess out before elections really kick in."

Kingston and Surbiton MP Sir Ed Davey and Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney paid tribute to Cllr Kerr on the social media platform.

Sir Ed posted: "My thanks go to @CllrCarolineK

who has led our Borough brilliantly through the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting the most vulnerable during this difficult time & helping local business recovery.

"I wish her well & look forward to continuing to work with her and the @KingstonLibDems team for local residents."

Ms Olney wrote: "I'd like to say a huge thank you to

@CllrCarolineK for her tireless work and dedication as Leader of Kingston Council over the last 18 months, especially her work leading the way through the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic for local residents."

In the full statement, Cllr Kerr defended her legacy and indicated she will be staying on as Canbury councillor at least until the next election.

She said: "I am extremely proud of the work of the Liberal Democrat Council in serving the people of Kingston, particularly in these most challenging times.

"Together we have supported Kingston's residents and our local NHS through the pandemic, we are building the first council homes in a generation and we are investing in two new leisure centres which will serve everyone in the borough for the next 50 years.

"All whilst we have turned around the council finances after the Conservatives had left Kingston on the edge of bankruptcy under their watch.

"I became leader as Covid 19 struck. I was able to draw on my professional experience of helping organisations deal with crisis to support the council through the pandemic.

"Although Covid is still a threat, the worst of the emergency appears to be over and I feel it is now time for new leadership to take the borough and the Liberal Democrat group on the next phase of its journey.

"I'd like to thank staff at Kingston Council, our partner organisations and elected members for their support and commitment to serving local residents.

"I will stay on as leader until a new leader is chosen. I will continue to represent the residents of Canbury to the best of my ability and to campaign against cuts to peak train services at Kingston station."