WARNDON Parish Council in Worcester is waving goodbye to two of its long-serving members.

Councillors Andrew Philpott and Yvonne Griffiths will not be standing for re-election in this year's polls.

Mr Philpott, aged 43, was first elected onto the parish council in May 1995 and became chairman the following year.

He resigned because of work commitments but remained a member of the Millennium Project group lobbying for improved sporting and leisure facilities and was co-opted back into the council in May 2000.

He took on responsibilities for leisure, overseeing the Fun Run from 2001, was the brains behind the parish lights competition and also set up the council's website. Mr Philpott was elected at the May 2004 elections and became chairman for the second time.

But he said work commitments had led to his decision not to seek re-election and he was giving the opportunity to other people to help the area.

"I will miss the activity but I'm still going to be closely involved. I will still be doing the fun run and the parish plan and whenever I can I will still attend meetings, but it will be the official aspects I am not involved in," he said.

Parish council clerk Les Bishop said: "There is no doubt that over the years Andrew has given sterling service to the local community, most of it unseen.

"He has said he will honour his commitments to the fun run, which shows the sort of man he is. I have enjoyed working with him and hope that at some future date he may come back again."

Fellow councillor Yvonne Griffiths was co-opted onto the council in 1988. A retired pharmacist, she served as chairman from 1991-96 and then took over as chairman again in 1998.

Clerk Les Bishop added: "Like most people who serve the community, her work has been mainly in the background, but given voice at the monthly meetings.

"Nine years is a long time to be on a council, but Mrs Griffiths has seen all the changes and has had a hand in shaping some of them. We all wish her well."