Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin will resign as governor of Alaska and not run for re-election, US media have reported.

Mrs Palin’s term of office was due to end in 2010.

There has been speculation that Mrs Palin, who is very popular with the Republican Party base, might make a bid for the White House in 2012.

Commentators have also suggested Mrs Palin could be considering a run for one of Alaska’s Senate seats.

Polls indicated she was very popular in Alaska during the first few years of her governorship, and although her approval-ratings have dipped somewhat since her vice-presidential run, she still enjoys widespread popularity in her home state.

Mrs Palin has not revealed what she intends to do after leaving office.