Lotus chief executive Mike Kimberley will stand down at the end of the week because of ill-health.

Kimberley, 70, said his doctors have insisted he retire "so as not to jeopardize my long term health" after undergoing surgery for a back problem.

Day-to-day running of the carmaker at Hethel will be taken on by an executive committee of the Lotus board until a new chief executive is appointed.

Kimberley returned for a second stint as Lotus chief executive in 2006 and has overseen a revival of the carmaker's fortunes, including the launch of the new Evora last year.