Assembly Member Simon Thomas has resigned with immediate effect after being arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images.

The Plaid Cymru AM represented the Mid and West Wales region and has written to Y Llywydd, Elin Jones, and his resignation is immediate.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: “An individual from Aberystwyth has been arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images.

“The individual has been released on police bail for 28 days.”

An Assembly Commission spokeswoman said: "T he Returning Officer for the region has been notified and we are working together to administer the arrangements for electing a new representative".

A statement from Plaid Cymru chair Alun Ffred Jones said: "Plaid Cymru has received Simon Thomas' resignation as a member of the party.

"We are aware of a police investigation into allegations of a serious offence.

"Due to that ongoing investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time".

Mr Thomas lives in Aberystwyth with his wife and two children.

A former MP, he was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion in 2000 and 2001.

After losing his seat he became a development manager with Technium in Pembrokeshire before becoming a special senior adviser to the Welsh Government.

He was elected to the National Assembly for Wales in 2011 and again in 2016.