WORCESTER'S housing chief will quit his job in March.

Peter John said he had "mixed feelings" about leaving the city council after 12 years.

He has been appointed as head of housing in Sandwell.

"It's quite a step up, because Sandwell has 40,000 properties, whereas Worcester has 5,000," said 49-year-old Mr John, who was "very excited" at the prospect of moving authorities and overseeing both the borough's housing and repairs.

"The area's very deprived, but it attracts Government money, unlike Worcester.

"I've mixed feelings about the move because I've loved working in Worcester. We've achieved a lot and that's due to having a tremendous team."

Prior to arriving at Worcester, Mr John was employed at Walsall, The Wrekin, Dudley and Wolverhampton.

Both Sandwell and Worcester's housing stocks face an uncertain future.

The two authorities are considering transferring homes to a housing association or a management company.

Meanwhile, in April, Worcester's housing department will be "restructured", with repairs and housing services being merged in a new-look department.

The city council has not yet decided whether to appoint a permanent or temporary replacement for Mr John, who is likely to leave in mid-March. No date had yet been fixed for his departure, said Mr John.

"It's tied up with the decision the council will make at the end of January about the future of housing," said the council's chief executive, David Wareing, who described Mr John's role in the past 12 years as "very significant".

Advertising for a new chief housing officer would be considered after full council on Tuesday, January 30, he added.