THE leader of Wychavon District Council is to quit after eight years in charge, it has emerged.

Your Worcester News can reveal that Councillor Paul Middlebrough is stepping down next week to seek "new challenges".

The top position will be taken by Conservative Linda Robinson, who runs a farm in Stoulton and was first elected in 2007, representing Upton Snodsbury.

The pending resignation is the end of an era at Wychavon, following last week's election results which saw the Conservatives retain a strong command on the council, with 39 of the 45 seats staying blue.

The party suffered a blow when Tory John Smith lost his seat to UKIP, but the party won one in Droitwich from Labour, meaning the numbers stay the same.

Cllr Middlebrough, who became leader in 2007, said: "When I started I was originally only going to do it for two years, and then Judy (Pearce, the former deputy leader) was going to do two.

"I've done two terms, eight years and I feel that's enough.

"In places like Wychavon, where it's pretty much a one-party state, the 'Corporate memory' is spread much wider than places like Worcester, where the control flip-flops."

He said he was particularly proud of the council's response to the 2007 floods, which wrecked Worcestershire, and the use of the New Homes Bonus, Government 'reward' funding in return for allowing new homes to be built.

"It was six weeks after I was elected leader that we had those terrible floods, I know it hit Worcester but it was more significant here in terms of homes," he said.

"I wish it had never happened, of course but the response was great.

"The fact we took the New Homes Bonus and was able to hand significant amounts to communities was also very pleasing.

"And we've worked very closely with the county council which means we've been able to get the perceived benefits of a unitary council, but still have local councillors involved."

The 64-year-old, who lives in Norton and is a former treasurer of the old police authority, says he will take time out before considering his next step.

The incoming leader Councillor Robinson was born and schooled in Birmingham, and used to be a competitive horse rider.

She is fluent in French and owns Windmill Hill Farm in Stoulton.

"It's a big job, the fact I've been chairman of planning the last four years and then chair of the council before that has set me up well for it," she said.

"It's a very exciting time and I'm looking forward to it."

* The change will be ratified at the next annual council meeting in Wychavon on Wednesday, May 20.