Veteran local politician and campaigner John East is standing down from Darwen Town Council at the coming elections on May 2.

The 75-year-old Liberal Democrat's decision follows 15 years of continuous service on the parish authority.

Mr East, who lives in Stanley Drive - joined Darwen Town Council in 2009 as a Lib Dem when it was set up to look after the local affairs of the town.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough planning chair Cllr Dave Smith (Labour) and fellow Lib Dem Paul Brown were elected at the same time.

Mr East, who represented the Darwen South Rural ward, said: "I've had enough.

"Time to give someone else the chance to have a crack.

"After serving DTC for many years it’s time for others to take the challenge to improve the town and work in partnership with the borough council and the many agencies, charities and volunteer groups we have in Darwen.

"I plan to continue as a member of Darwen Rotary Club."

Cllr Smith said: "John is very knowledgeable about the town and knows a lot of people.

"He has been a stalwart member of the town council and put a lot of work in."

Mr East has been involved in a wide range of interests, including helping to run Darwen United Reformed Church in Duckworth Street and working with local scouts and groups of youngsters.

He also been chair of the Friends of Darwen Library, set up the Friends of Darwen Cemetery, worked as a trustee for Darwen Heritage Centre – which he helped to buy for the town some six years ago – and was for a short period as a member of the Darwen Town Deal board.

His main interest in the past 10 years has been working with asylum seekers and refugees who have been moved to live in the Darwen area, and as chair of the local DARE group, Darwen Asylum seekers and Refugees Enterprise.

On May 2 there will be 22 candidates standing for the 13 town councillor posts in four wards, with the two remaining Lib Dem members Paul Browne and Mark Davies, son of the late Cllr Roy Davies, standing as Independents.

The candidates for Darwen Town Council are:

Darwen East (four councillors): Paul Browne (Independent), Mark Davies (Ind), Julie Dugan (Labour), Matthew Gibson (Lab), Martin McCaughran (Lab), Ryan Slater (Conservative), Mark Westall (Lab).

Darwen South (four councillors): Kevin Connor (Con), Liam Dobson (Lab), Joan Hepple (Con), Paul O'Garr (Lab), Lilian Salton (Con), Anthony Shaw (Lab), Sue Skipper (Lab), Neil Slater (Con).

Darwen South Rural (one councillor): Simon Charlesworth (Lab), Steve Duncan (Con).

Darwen West (four councillors): Stephanie Brookfield (Lab), Jonathan Hamer (Lab), Jacqueline Slater (Con), Dave Smith (Lab), Brian Taylor (Lab).