ONE of Worcestershire's best-loved legal characters has retired.

Bob Moule, a partner at Morton Fisher Solicitors' Bromsgrove office, has stepped down after a 30-year career.

But the 57-year-old has no plans to sit back and relax - he already has plans to take an Open University degree in humanities and learn to play the piano.

Mr Moule qualified with a law firm in Surrey in 1970 before joining Pugh, Fisher, Holyoake & Foster in 1972 - now known as Morton Fisher.

The ex-president of Bromsgrove Rotary Club and former bailiff of the Court Lee of Bromsgrove has specialised in property matters ever since.

"I would very much like to thank my clients for their kind instructions over the years and particularly my partners and colleagues in Bromsgrove," said Mr Moule, a member of Wick Golf Club.

Jim Quinn, Morton Fisher's senior partners, paid tribute to his retiring colleague.

"His clients will miss his direct, no-nonsense approach to the law," he said.

"We will miss him, his wit and unflappable character. All of us wish him and his wife Julia well in their retirement."