LONDON, Jan. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Leader of the Britain's third largest party resigned on Saturday after he admitted of having drink problems and fellow party members urged him to quit.

    Charles Kennedy, six-year leader of the second major opposition party -- the Liberal Democratic Party, made a statement on Saturday saying he has resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrats with immediate effect, only two days after revealing his battle with alcohol.

    "When the nominations do open for the leadership of our party, I will not be putting my name forward. I'm standing down as leader with immediate effect," he said in the statement.

    He called a leadership contest to try and resolve the issue over his job, saying his successor would inherit a party "established now as serious players".

    "It's essential in my view we have a new, democratically elected leader in place as soon as possible", he added.

    Kennedy said he had been "inundated by messages of support from party members and activists" but this was not mirrored "strongly enough" across the parliamentary party.

    Nonetheless, he promised to support his successor as a "loyal backbench Liberal Democrat MP".

    Deputy party leader Menzies Campbell is acting leader and plans to run in the forthcoming leadership contest.

    Menzies said: "Under his leadership, the party has advanced to its best position for 80 years - the party will forever be in his debt."

    Kennedy enjoyed success with the Liberals at the last general election, which saw the party increase their seats in the House of Commons.

    However, pressure on him grew in the last week when 25 Liberal Democratic members of parliament signed a letter saying they could not work with the leader and urging him to quit.

    Mark Oaten, party home affairs spokesman, said Kennedy had been"dignified" and "statesmanlike" while under immense pressure.

    His predecessor, Lord Ashdown, agreed that Kennedy has taken a"courageous decision and the right one for himself and the party".

    "The Liberal Democrats owe him a great debt as the leader who presided over the highest number of seats and greater share of the popular vote for Britain's third party in living memory," he added. Enditem