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Hampshire County Council's leader Ken Thornber has announced his resignation, the day after local elections.

After 14 years, the 80-year-old Conservative said he had taken the decision after being challenged within his party over his age.

He said: "I would stay - I still have a lot to offer. I felt it an uncomfortable challenge - clearly some of my group are looking for a change."

Mr Thornber will formally stand down at a meeting on Tuesday.

He said he was proud of what the local authority had achieved, "it was a huge, huge privilege".

The announcement comes despite Mr Thornber holding his Brockenhurst seat in Thursday's county council elections.

The vote saw UKIP gain 10 seats on Hampshire County Council with almost a quarter (24.61%) of the votes.

UKIP previously had no seats on the council.

The Conservatives had 37.51% of the votes and the Liberal Democrats 21.71%, while Labour had 10%.