After 19 years Brenda Cannell is resigning as member of the House of Keys for Douglas East.

Speaker Steve Rodan confirmed he had received a resignation letter Mrs Cannell which means she will officially step down on 7th October. Mrs Cannell, who lost her husband in April this year, has cited personal reasons.

The Speaker said: 'All members will be very sorry to lose Brenda as a parliamentary colleague and would wish to readily acknowledge - and sincerely thank her - for her many years of public service and for making a significant contribution to political life in the Isle of Man.'

Mrs Cannell had already intimated she would not be standing at the next general election in 2016. It's expected the Douglas East by-election will be called before Christmas.