A WELL-respected Suffolk councillor is to stand down at this year's local elections after dedicating nearly half her life to serving with three different authorities.

A WELL-respected Suffolk councillor is to stand down at this year's local elections after dedicating nearly half her life to serving with three different authorities.

Elizabeth Wiles said yesterday her decision not to stand for re-election to Sudbury Town Council and Babergh District Council had been prompted by personal reasons and a desire to undertake new challenges.

Mrs Wiles was first elected to Suffolk County Council in 1985, and served until 2001. In 1980, she began split service with Babergh District and Sudbury Town Councils, standing down in 1983 before winning re-election in 1988.

But the 67-year-old has now decided to wave goodbye to local government, and instead plans to learn Japanese, Greek and digital photography while caring for her elderly mother.

“It is a big wrench to say I am finally going to go, as I have been in local government a long while,” she said.

“But I have worked with some very likeable people, and have tried to do the very best I could for Sudbury all the way along.”

Mrs Wiles represented the Labour group until 1999, when she became an Independent following a political fall-out.

During her time in local politics, she has served as Sudbury town mayor and chairman of Suffolk County Council – but feels now, after amassing a total of 34 years service, is the right time to walk away.

“I'm planning now to set myself challenges, and at 67 I am young enough to get on and do something else,” added Mrs Wiles, who lives in Sudbury. “I have also decided to dedicate a little time to myself and my family.

“And there are quite a few councillors standing down from all sorts of parties for different reasons this year, so we may be left with an entirely different council.”