A FORMER councillor has pulled out of the election race, less than a month after announcing her intention to stand.

Jacquie Bell was one of three Scottish Liberal Democrat candidates announced last month for the East Lothian Council elections.

Mrs Bell, who was hoping to win a seat in the Dunbar and East Linton ward, has pulled out due to health reasons.

Robert O’Riordan, convenor, told the Courier: “Jacquie has had to stand down for health reasons.

“She has worked very hard for the party at local and national level over many years and I wish her well.”

Mr O’Riordan said the Lib Dems were hoping to announce a replacement candidate in due course, as well as candidates for the North Berwick Coastal, Tranent/Wallyford/Macmerry and Preston/Seton/Gosford wards.

The party previously announced Kelvin Pate as the candidate for Haddington and Lammermuir and Claire Graham as the candidate for Musselburgh.

Mrs Bell, who was a member of East Lothian Council from 2007 to 2012, confirmed she would remain as secretary of Dunbar Community Council, which she has served for 12 years in two separate spells.