A shamed Muslim councillor today told of his decision to step down from next month's Bradford Council elections following his conviction for drink driving on Remembrance Sunday.

Councillor Mohammed Yaqoob, 54, who has represented Bradford Moor for Labour for the past four years, was sacked from his job as a bus driver with First after he was banned from driving.

Now he has decided not to contest his seat in the election on Thursday, May 2 in the best interest of his constituents and the Labour group.

"It is painful for me to have to stand down, particularly as my party had selected me to fight the election for them," he said.

"I have been thrilled by the support I have received from the public since my conviction. I will miss my constituents who I have taken to my heart.

"I am sorry for what I have done and I have been punished three times, by the court, by my former employers and now I have lost my position on the Council."

Coun Yaqoob was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £100 with £40 costs in February after he admitted crashing his car while under the influence of alcohol. He was found to have a blood alcohol reading of 170mgs. The legal limit is 80.

Coun Yaqoob initially begged the community to forgive him and vowed to fight for his political life, describing his Council work as "all I have left".

But now he has decided to spend the next 12 months working in the community before beginning his next election battle.

He will continue his roles on the Parent Teachers Associations at Laisterdyke High School and Bradford Moor Primary School.

He believes his biggest achievement as a councillor is the part he played in helping to secure £27 million in regeneration money and £3 million of Sure Start funding for Bradford Moor.

He added: "I have done a lot of work for the community and I hope people will remember that."

His place as Labour candidate has gone to Susanne Rooney, the wife of Bradford North Labour MP Terry Rooney.

The leader of the Labour group, Councillor Ian Greenwood, said he believed Coun Yaqoob could bounce back and regain his seat at the town hall. He said: "He has made an outstanding contribution as a councillor both to the residents of Bradford Moor and to the Labour group. He has made a decision which is his alone to make.

"I think the people of Bradford Moor would be happy to see him stand and win again in the future."

The other candidates in the Bradford Moor ward are Raihanna Ismail (Lib Dem) and Azhar Mahmood (Con).