Michael Howard has completed a small reshuffle of his frontbench team, following David Curry's resignation from the shadow Cabinet.

The Skipton and Ripon MP stood down as local government secretary for "family reasons".

"In my short time in the shadow Cabinet you have treated me with unfailing consideration, courtesy and kindness," he said in a letter to Howard.

"It has been exciting and invigorating to play some role in the resurgence of the Conservative Party under your leadership. I shall continue to support you fully as we set our sights determinedly on victory at the next general election."

The Tory leader accepted his resignation, praising him for his "tremendous work".

"It has been a great pleasure working with you as a colleague in the shadow Cabinet," he wrote in reply.

"Your contribution has been immense and I am grateful for all the tremendous work you have done.

"I know that I will be able to count on your full support in the run-up to the general election and very much hope it will be possible for you to rejoin the team in government."

Reshuffle

Curry is replaced by Caroline Spelman, who is promoted from the position of shadow environment secretary.

"I am delighted to be joining Michael Howard's shadow Cabinet," she said.

"This is a hugely important policy area where we have many opportunities to make our case, and to expose the failings of a discredited government.

"I much look forward to building on all that David Curry has achieved - not least in preparation for vital local government elections on 10 June."

The Meriden MP in turn is replaced by Richard Ottaway.

Further changes included a promotion for Eleanor Laing, who returns to the frontbench as shadow minister for women, a position left vacant by Spelman's move to the shadow Cabinet.

Mark Field leaves the Opposition whips office to become shadow minister for London, while David Cameron becomes a shadow minister for local government finance. He is replaced as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party by Romford MP Andrew Rossindel.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown moves from the local government team to join the Opposition whips office, and is joined by David Ruffley, who replaces Angela Watkinson as she moves to the health and education shadow ministerial team.

Desmond Swayne has also been promoted, from shadow defence minister to shadow minister for Northern Ireland affairs, deputising for shadow Ulster secretary David Lidington.