Mark Alcock, who represented Farington on the district council, has quit his post over "personal issues" which led to a three-year campaign of hatred being waged against him and his family.

During the ordeal he received death threats, had bricks thrown through his windows, his car damaged and members of his family abused at home and at work.

He has now left the area, bringing to an end his nine-year association with South Ribble, and has quit as the Liberal Democrats' parliamentary candidate for the constituency.

The father-of-three said: "It has been a really difficult decision.

"I did not just want to leave and tell people that it was just over 'personal issues' because they might have thought that I had just had enough and walked away.

"South Ribble and the people of Farington have played a huge part in my life over the last nine years and when I have not been working in my full-time job, I have dedicated my time to the people of South Ribble.

"It will leave a massive hole in my life, but I had to do it for my kids."

Coun David Haworth, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on South Ribble Council, said the departure would "leave a massive gap" in the council.

Leader of the council, Coun Howard Gore, said the authority "completely understood" the reasons behind the decision.

Mr Alcock has been involved with the Residents Against Waste Site (RAWS) protest group which has been campaigning against plans to build a huge waste recycling plant on the former Leyland Vehicles test track at Farington Moss.

• The Evening Post is unable to give the "personal issues" behind Mr Alcock's decision for legal reasons.