Labour MP retiring after 22 years

Eric Martlew has been an MP since 1987

Labour MP Eric Martlew is to stand down at the next general election, after more than 22 years in Parliament.

The Carlisle MP said "it is time to step down from front-line politics".

Mr Martlew, 60, said the Labour Party was in "good shape" and there would be no let-up in his workload or efforts while he was still MP.

A spokeswoman for the city's Labour Party said it was too early to say who would replace Mr Martlew as candidate for the constituency.

Lancaster-born Mr Martlew began his political career as a Carlisle councillor in 1972 and was elected as a MP in 1987.

He said: "They say a week is a long time in politics and I've done coming up 40 years!"