Ex-Labour councillor Terry Brookes has been arrested on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children, the BBC has reported.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Brookes said he had resigned to "prove my innocence and protect the Labour Party".

He added that he had stood down earlier this month because he "didn't want to drag anyone else into it".

He said he had not been charged, but confirmed to BBC Essex he had been arrested and said the police "carried out a full search of my house".

A statement from Essex police said: "Police have arrested a 58 year old man from Grays on suspicion of possession of indecent images.

"He was detained on July 20th and taken into police custody for questioning before being released on bail until December pending further investigations."

A by-election for his ward of West Thurrock and South Stifford has been scheduled for 10 September.

A source who did not wish to be named told the Gazette that several weeks ago plain clothes police officers had been seen at Mr Brookes' house, and removed from the property electronic equipment.

Mr Brookes and his wife have now put the property in Grays up for sale.

Mr Brookes was publically removed from his post as portfolio holder for public protection by council leader John Kent on July 22, and on August 4 he was suspended by the Labour head office.