Bishopstoke Parish Council is looking for a new clerk following news that Peter Bulbeck is to step down.

Mr Bulbeck has been at the administrative helm of the village authority with the fifth-largest electorate in Hampshire - comprising 7,500 electors - for four years.

But he has told the council he had probably reached an age when it was appropriate to consider retiring.

Now, the parish council is to launch an advertising campaign to ensure that a candidate is in post after Christmas.

Parish council chairman councillor Anne Winstanley said: "On hearing Peter's news, the universal reaction of members was to express regret and to comment on the clerk's considerable contribution to the smooth running of the parish council over the past four years.

"The post of clerk to any local council involves the integration of many new initiatives into the council's working and I am glad that Peter has offered to continue to make his services available to us to assist in a smooth hand-over to his successor.

"He has also offered to continue for a period as our statutory Responsible Finance Officer."

Mr Bulbeck said: "It wasn't an easy decision to recognise that the time had come to stand down - for the last four years have brought considerable satisfaction.

"Bishopstoke is a lovely community which richly deserves the services of its own parish council."

But he added: "There is no denying, however, that the role of clerk to such a large community is demanding."