A GWENT council chief battling leukaemia is to retire.

Meg Holborow, Torfaen council's chief executive, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last October, just weeks after starting the job.

After five courses of intensive chemotherapy the cancer is in remission.

On the advice of her specialists and the council's medical adviser, Mrs Holborow, aged 51, will retire on September 30.

She said: "This has been an extremely difficult decision and one that I have made with a heavy heart and much thought.

"It is the ultimate work-life balance choice. However, the advice from my consultant is unequivocal and it would be foolish of me to ignore it. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my 30 years in local government and I was looking forward to working with all in Torfaen.

"Even in the short time I was in post I met so many able, dedicated and caring people who worked hard and with great purpose for the community."

She thanked staff for their support and said the letters and cards she received during her illness helped her cope.

On September 3 Mrs Holborow married her partner of 13 years, Paul Dawson, in a register office ceremony, followed by a church blessing last week.

The couple became engaged last year, just a few days before the diagnosis.

Peter Durkin will remain as Torfaen's acting chief executive while the council considers its options.

Bob Wellington, leader of Torfaen council, paid tribute to Mrs Holborow. "It is so sad that someone so young, with so much talent and energy, should be in this situation," said Mr Wellington.

"She was a breath of fresh air and colleagues and partners were looking forward to working with her for many years to come.

"Her departure is a loss to everyone and we wish her good health and a happy retirement."

Mrs Holborow fell ill in October last year only three weeks after starting her new position.

She had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare form of cancer of the white blood cells which affects 2,000 adults in the UK yearly.