JANE Scott will remain as the leader of Wiltshire Council despite Downing Street announcing her as a Conservative peer.

She is among 26 other Tories who have been nominated in the dissolution honours list for a position in the House of Lords.

Members of the House of Lords are not obliged to attend full-time and are paid a daily attendance allowance of £300.

In a statement Cllr Scott, who became leader of the now defunct county council in 2003, confirmed she planned to work in both roles.

She said: "I am pleased to confirm that I have been appointed as a life peer in the House of Lords. I see this as a great honour for Wiltshire and I am very much looking forward to taking up this position.

“The wealth of experience that I have gained in local government and the public sector; particularly as the leader of both Wiltshire County Council and Wiltshire Council will assist me in this role and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that this peerage will bring.

“I have no plans to stand down as leader of Wiltshire Council and will be continuing to work with my cabinet members and senior management team to deliver a number of important projects that will improve both the services and facilities that we provide to the people of Wiltshire."

Cllr Scott moved to Wiltshire in the early 1990s and was first elected to North Wiltshire District Council in 1995 before winning a spot on the county council in 1997. In 2009 she was made the first leader of Wiltshire Council after it became a unitary authority.

Outside of politics she has worked in the dairy industry and still lists her profession as a self employed farmer in Chippenham.

Salisbury MP, John Glen, said: "I am pleased to hear of Wiltshire Council Leader Jane Scott's elevation to the House of Lords. Jane Scott has served Wiltshire for many years and I am sure she will use this experience wisely in her new role at Westminster."

Former North West Hampshire MP, Sir George Young, was also confirmed as a peer by David Cameron.