ONE of Hampshire's longest-serving councillors is stepping down after 30 years in local government.

Derek Burdle, who represents the village of Netley Marsh, has been a member of New Forest District Council since it was formed in 1973.

He has also served on Netley Marsh Parish Council for the same period and was a member of Hampshire County Council for 12 years.

He has decided to stand down at the local elections on May 1 after completing a combined total of 72 years with the three authorities.

"I thought hard about whether I should call it a day and eventually decided not to seek re-election," he said.

"Thirty years in local government is a nice round figure. Another factor was the decision to merge Netley Marsh ward with Ashurst and Copythorne South. My electorate would have trebled and I would also have had to attend three parish council meetings a month on top of all my other duties."

The 62-year-old businessman moved from Weymouth to Netley Marsh in 1965.

He joined the Netley Marsh Steam Rally committee in 1971 and three years later became the event's organiser - a post he held for 11 years.

Cllr Burdle was also chairman of the district council between 1989 and 1991. During that time he spent two days with the Royal Hampshire Regiment in Londonderry and persuaded Asda to fund a £35,000 learner pool at Totton Recreation Centre.

The outspoken Conservative has also voiced concern about the proposed New Forest National Park. "I've always thought we needed a tailor-made National Park," he said.

"I don't think a standard format is appropriate to the New Forest because we've got the verderers and our ancient laws, which are probably unique."