A LEADING figure in a town's civic affairs for more than three decades is to stand down next year.

Councillor Malcolm Pratt, leader of Chester-le-Street District Council, will retire prior to the local elections in May.

Coun Pratt has served as a Labour member for Chester-le-Street North ward since 1971, the first three years on the old urban district council and since 1974 on the successor district council.

He became only the third leader of the district council in 1991 and has fulfilled the busy role at the civic centre while running a freelance sports press agency business.

But he feels next May will be a fitting time to stand down.

"By then, I'll be almost 63 and will have been involved for 32 years, 12 as leader.

"I'm very privileged to have had the backing of the Labour Party and the constituents of the North ward for so long, and I'm grateful to them.

"I hope, in return, that I've been able to enhance the lives of people in the district.

"Being council leader nowadays is much more demanding than it used to be. It really could be a full-time job."

During his term at the helm at the civic centre he has overseen the transformation of Chester-le-Street Riverside, including the development of Durham County Cricket Club's new home.

"It gives me a lot of pleasure to see so many people enjoying themselves, not just at the cricket ground, but using all the leisure facilities down there."

On retirement from the council, Coun Pratt intends to continue to run his business and devote more time to his love of cricket.