Weymouth councillor Lynne Herbert is stranded in the Canary Islands after suffering a stroke on the last day of her holiday.

Well-wishers are keeping their fingers crossed for Mrs Herbert, who has a long history of heart problems and is now under close observation by Spanish doctors.

She had planned the week-long break as a breather before the council's civic session swung into action again this week.

The Liberal Democrat Weymouth and Portland borough councillor for Melcombe Regis was struck down as she prepared to fly home to Weymouth with her husband Brian.

The mum-of-two is undergoing routine medical checks in the hospital, and Mr Herbert has extended his stay to remain at her bedside.

Lynne's sons have now flown out to Tenerife to join their stranded mum.

A close friend and colleague, Coun Joy Stanley, announced the news at the annual council meeting held at Weymouth Pavilion.

Mrs Stanley managed to snatch a few words with Mrs Herbert when she telephoned from Tenerife.

Mrs Stanley said: "Lynne was a bit muddled, but seemed very optimistic when I spoke to her and said she would be coming home soon.

"She thought the stroke had been brought on by her medication but I suppose the heat would not have helped either.

"As her fellow councillor, I am very concerned about her condition."

Coun Brian Ellis, the leader of the Lib Dem group on Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: "Lynne is a vital member of our team and we wish her a speedy recovery."

Mrs Herbert, who runs the Freshford House Hotel on Grange Road with her husband, was formerly the president of Weymouth's Chamber of Commerce.

Heart surgery forced her to quit her post as president of the Weymouth Hotel and Catering Association last year.

She had to resign two months ahead of schedule to undergo an operation to fix a faulty heart valve.

The surgery was brought forward after her heart was pierced during a routine angiogram.