THE chairman of Bury NHS Trust has resigned on grounds of ill health.

Mr David Ryder said that he reluctantly made the decision to quit to spend more time with his family.

"I have given the decision careful thought. I have to be realistic and I feel that I would not be able to do the job as well as I could," explained Mr Ryder.

Vera Stringer, vice-chairman of Bury Health Care NHS Trust, will step in to the post until a successor can be appointed.

The former Labour councillor said that he was sad to be leaving the post he has held for the last 18 months. He has also resigned as chairman of the national trailer and twinning association. However he will continue to run his Manchester-based business, Ryder Towing Equipment Ltd.

Mr Ryder (58) said: "A great future awaits the health service. It was a great privilege and very humbling to work with such talented people. It is a great disappointment to me to have to leave but it is necessary.

"I can no longer divide my time between my business and the Trust and it is time to put my family first."

Mr Ryder, lives in Prestwich with his wife, magistrate Kath Watts-Jones, and their six children.