Labour politicians Joe McManners and Antonia Bance have resigned their seats on Oxford City Council.

The resignation of the two stalwarts has been timed to allow by-elections to be held on the same day as county council elections on May 2.

Churchill councillor Dr McManners, a GP and former executive member for housing, has been forced to stand aside because he is due to serve on the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Board, and cannot hold both roles.

Ms Bance, who has represented Rose Hill and Iffley since 2006, said she wanted to focus on her job as campaigns director for the charity Shelter.