ONE of the region's longest serving MPs is stepping down after 26 years in Parliament.

Derek Foster's surprise announcement yesterday led to speculation about who will take over the Bishop Auckland, County Durham seat he has held for Labour since 1979.

With a 13,926 majority, it is one of the safest in the country and is expected to attract a huge amount of interest.

Mr Foster, 67, is confident that whoever fills his shoes will find his 600 sq mile constituency in better shape than when he arrived.

He said: "There are more jobs here than at any time in the last 30 years and tourism and technology are really buoyant. I am more optimistic now about this area than I have every been.

"It is poised to embrace a prosperous future if there is the courage and the will to make it happen.

"I am going because, although I still get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from my job, I cannot imagining keeping up the cracking pace I have set myself, for another four years."

The son of a shipyard worker, Mr Foster, who is a committed Salvationist, graduated from Oxford University in 1960. After ten years in marketing he turned to community work and rose to become Sunderland's assistant director of education.

He said yesterday his background made him passionate about creating wider opportunities for education and employment. He played a key role in setting up agencies supporting small businesses and training.

Although Mr Foster was Labour's Chief Whip for ten years and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, he was disappointed not to be given a ministerial role when Labour won power in 1997, later criticising the Government for not doing enough for the North-East.

He said: "I soon got over it and devoted myself to my constituency work. I have enjoyed it tremendously and found it very productive."

Government Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong, whose North West Durham constituency borders Mr Foster's, led tributes to him.

She said: "Derek has had a remarkable career and has worked tirelessly for the people of Bishop Auckland.

"He has been a good friend and a very good neighbour.

"I have always been able to turn to him for advice and support."