The leader of Stevenage council will step down to join the House of Lords.

The Government and King Charles III have confirmed Stevenage Borough Council leader Sharon Taylor is set to become a life peer in the Political Peerages 2022 list.

Councillor Taylor - who represents Labour in the Symonds Green ward - will become one of eight new Labour Party peers alongside Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady, London deputy mayor for fire and resilience Fiona Twycross and former party deputy leader Tom Watson.

She is set to step down as council leader "in due course", and her tenure as a Stevenage councillor is due to end at the 2024 borough elections after 27 years in post.

Responding to the news, Cllr Taylor said: "I am overwhelmed to have been asked by Keir Starmer to take on the role of being a working peer in the House of Lords.

"This is the greatest honour of my life and I have accepted with humility, gratitude and great excitement at being asked to continue to represent the Labour Party and Stevenage in such a special way.

"Many of you will know that Stevenage is my home town and I am immensely proud of what our incredible Labour team have achieved here.

"I will shortly step down from my role as leader of the council to focus on this exciting new challenge but I do so with enormous thanks to all our members, officers and partners for their commitment, for sharing my passion for our place and for their friendship and support."

She added: "I look forward to continuing the fight for social justice, a fairer and greener future and an economy that works for everyone, from the historic red benches."

Cllr Taylor's colleagues across Hertfordshire have sent her messages of congratulations.

There are a total 26 new House of Lords appointees listed in 2022.

Among them is Dame Arlene Foster, former Northern Ireland first minister, and Network Rail chair Sir Peter Hendy.