Chancellor's wife to quit full-time work

The couple married in August 2000

Sarah Brown, wife of the chancellor, has decided to quit her full-time, high-flying public relations career to care for their child, due in February.

Mrs Brown, 37, is stepping down from the firm she helped found eight years ago to take up a part-time consultancy role, which she will return to after the birth.

Cherie Blair returned to work after her pregnancy

The move is a contrast to Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie, who returned to her high-profile barrister's job once baby Leo had been born in May last year.

Mrs Brown's role as managing director of Hobsbawm Macaulay Communications is being taken on by business partner Julie Hobsbawm.

Ms Hobsbawm, chairwoman of HMC, told PR Week magazine: "This is Sarah's decision but one I understand and support."

The Brown pregnancy was announced in July, just under a year after they were married in Scotland.

It has already emerged that the chancellor plans to be present at the birth and take paternity leave immediately afterwards.

He will then return for the Budget in March before taking some more time off afterwards.