A VETERAN politician is to step down from one of Worcestershire County Council ’s most marginal seats, it has emerged.

Councillor Alwyn Davies, a former deputy leader of the council, is quitting next May after 20 years in politics.

The 72-year-old Conservative said he felt it was “the right time” to call it a day from the Hallow, Worcester, seat and is resigning to spend more time with his family.

He was first elected back in 1993 and has since fulfilled several high-profile roles at County Hall, including chairman, head of the planning committee and six years in the cabinet.

His decision will create a fierce party battle to retain Hallow in next year’s local elections, with a new candidate having to defend a Tory majority of just 303.

He said: “When I was first elected I didn’t think I was going to be around for this long, to be honest.

“I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been a real pleasure working for the people of Hallow. When I first joined the council we were in opposition, so I had eight years of that, and for the last 12 years since I’ve done a lot of senior roles and experienced all I wanted to.

“I’ll have served for 20 years next May and that is quite long enough. I’ve fought five elections and each time, been lucky enough to have been elected or re-elected, and for that I am very grateful.”

Coun Davies, who was chairman from 2008-09 and during his time in the cabinet led areas such as waste, infrastructure, highways and the environment, told the Tory group of his decision last week.

He said: “I’ve thought about it long and hard and the truth is, I’ve probably changed my mind about three times. I suspect I will probably miss it when I’m gone. But the time is right for me to hand the baton over to somebody else.”

Coun Davies, who is a retired chartered surveyor, plans to do more with his wife Sue and two grown-up children.