JOHN Woodcock has revealed that he will not be standing in the December 12 election.

The independent MP described his decision as one taken with 'great sadness'.

In a letter shared with the Gazette's sister paper, The Mail, he said: "It has been the greatest honour of my life fighting for Barrow and Furness in Parliament for the last nine and a half years and I am so proud of the things we have achieved together.

Mr Woodcock listed some of his achievements as:

* the new maternity unit at Furness General Hospital

* the 2016 vote in the House of Commons to go ahead with Dreadnought

* Investment earmarked for Barrow town centre

He described his term as having 'some difficult times' and revealed his decision to stand down was because his partner Isabel Hardman was pregnant with his baby.

"I am suddenly changing my life plans because my partner and I have been blessed with an unexpected but wonderful piece of news - Isabel is expecting a baby."

Ending his resignation latter, Mr Woodcock thanked the people of Barrow and Furness and added: "I have never shied away from speaking out and going against the grain, no matter how much hot water that has got me into over the years, you are the finest people on Earth. Thank you."