A STALWART of Clitheroe Town Council is set to hang up his robe for the final time this summer after serving the town for a decade.

Ian Woolstencroft, who has served as the town council clerk since 2005, has announced that he will step down from the position in August following his 65th birthday.

The dad-of-three and grandad-of-six took up the post after working for more than 30 years for Burnley Council, taking early retirement at the age of 54.

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He will stay in his position to help the council find a successor and take part in the annual Clitheroe Town Mayor making ceremony and help to organise the popular Last Night of the Proms concert in the Clitheroe Castle grounds.

Born and brought up in Burnley, he attended Nelson Secondary Technology College and joined Burnley Council as an administrator, working his way up to the role of support service manager before he retired.

Ian, who lives in Lower Mead Drive, Burnley, said: “It was a hard decision to make as I still enjoy the job but it just feels like it’s the right time to go.

“There will be a new council being elected in May and it’s time for someone else to help them take the town forward.

“I have enjoyed working with the councillors over the last 10 years and I shall miss the role.

“I will miss coming to Clitheroe on a regular basis as it’s such a wonderful town.

“When I first came I found it hard to navigate around but I have met some really nice people here both on the council and off it.

“I’m looking forward to retirement and spending more time with my children and grandchildren.

“One of the best moments of my time with the council was when we were awarded a ‘Quality Council’ certificate shortly after I joined.

“A lot of work was put into gaining that status and that was a real achievement.”

Councillor Mary Robinson, the leader of the council, said: “I can’t praise Ian enough and he has been an excellent clerk.

“He has gone above and beyond what was expected and has put in a lot of work.

“He has been a stalwart of the council and it will be very hard to find a replacement.

“Ian has been very easy to work with and he has assisted me and other councillors on any matter that we were looking into.

“He will be greatly missed by everyone at Clitheroe Town Council and we hope to see him again while he is enjoying his retirement.

“He will be incredibly hard to replace.”