THE leader of Wyre Forest District Council announced last night that four Conservative members will not be standing in May's elections.

At the final full council meeting before the spring election, leader Marcus Hart confirmed that councillors Nick Harris, Jeffrey Baker, John Campion and Steve Williams would be stepping down from the district council at the end of the term.

Cllr Campion, member for Bewdley and Rock, will leave the council after nearly 15 years to dedicate more time to his other role as West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner.

He told The Shuttle: "When I was elected commissioner I was already district and county councillor and always said I would complete my commitment to the public.

"As leader and in other roles I've helped to lead the council in the direction that it continues today - a sustainable council with a new cemetery, new crematorium, new leisure centre, and with millions spent on the regeneration of Kidderminster town centre.

"I'm proud and always will be proud of my time on the district council."

The council's chairman Steve Williams, for Wyre Forest Rural, will retire after 20 years of service, having served as chairman for four periods - a record for the district.

Cllr Williams said: "I've really enjoyed my 20 years on the district council but did feel it was time to let somebody else take the reins.

"I'm 75 now - I don't mind admitting - and I didn't want to get into a situation of not being able to remember people's names.

"I've been chairman of the planning committee for 13 or 14 years which was my main interest for joining the council. I don't think there's a committee I haven't served on but planning is certainly the one I got the most out of."

Cllr Baker, for Franche and Habberley North, who has served the council for 12 years, will also be retiring after finishing his term on Kidderminster Town Council.

He said: "I'll be 80 next birthday and I decided it's time to call it a day. I was chairman in 2007 and licensing chairman. I'll be sad to go in some ways but I'm not getting any younger."

The authority's youngest member - and the youngest councillor in Britain - will step down in order to pursue another career.

18-year-old Cllr Nick Harris said: "I've really enjoyed my time as councillor and felt I've been able to do an awful lot for the people of Bewdley and Rock.

"I really appreciate them giving me the opportunity to represent them - it's not been an easy decision to make.

"One of my biggest campaigns has been about speeding, which is a big issue in Bewdley and Rock. I helped to get a speed camera installed at Clows Top where a fatal accident unfortunately took place a couple of months ago.

"I hope I can inspire other young people to consider a career in local government."

Wyre Forest's Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent groups said all of its district councillors would be standing again in May's elections. The Independent Community & Health Concern councillors were approached for comment.