FORMER Wyre Forest District Council chairman Anthony Batchelor is retiring as principal of Kidderminster College after 35 years at the Hoo Road centre.

Mr Batchelor, who was council chairman in 1986-87 and also Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate during the 1983 and 1987 general elections, is stepping down after a long illness.

The Old Carolian introduced government and politics as a teaching subject on his arrival at the college as an assistant lecturer in 1965, and taught the subject until the 1990s when he became deputy principal.

He spent five years in the position before taking over as principal and chief executive in February 1998.

Mr Batchelor said: "I wish my successor well. Kidderminster has a good college - much stronger than it was - and I have no doubt it will continue to provide excellent service to the local community.

"I would also like to record my appreciation for the help and support I have received from the staff and governors."

Under Mr Batchelor's leadership as head of business and social studies in the 1980s, there was a considerable expansion of college programmes, particularly for mature return-to-learning students.

In March last year the Training Standards Council praised Mr Batchelor and senior staff for making improvements at the college following a damning report by the Further Education Funding Council which had slammed the institution's management in December 1998.

Andrew Miller will continue in his position of acting principal until Mr Batchelor's successor is found.