COUNCIL leader Barrie Grunewald is expected to continue his stay at hospital in the Canary Islands as he continues his recovery from a heart attack. Relatives say he is now “comfortable, interactive and responding well”.

Cllr Grunewald, 37, was taken ill a fortnight ago at a hotel in Gran Canaria, where he was enjoying a break with friends.

He was placed in an induced coma but St Helens Council confirmed this week that he is now conscious.

Today his family offered a further update on the council leader’s condition.

A spokesperson said: "Barrie is comfortable, interactive and responding well.

"He is making progress however there are some issues that doctors still want to address so he will remain in hospital for a short while yet.

“Friends, including Councillor John Fulham who flew out last week, are flying to Las Palmas this weekend to give him some support and will use the opportunity to ascertain when he will return to the UK."

St Helens Council chief executive Mike Palin is receiving regular updates on the leader’s condition and Cllr Andy Bowden, the deputy leader, will take on temporary responsibility for key decision making at the town hall while Cllr Grunewald is ill.

Cllr Grunewald, a father of two, is well known across the Labour party and has been playing a key role in the campaign by Liverpool Walton MP Steve Rotheram to become the city region’s elected mayor.

Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, was among those to send Cllr Grunewald a message of support.