MAY I on behalf of my wife and I take this opportunity to thank the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Cllr Tony Connell and his wife , Maureen, for the excellent reception they gave us both.

May I also thank Cllr John Walsh, Cllr Roger Heyes and my former ward colleague, Cllr Laurie Williamson, for their warm wishes, kind words spoken and reminisces of my time spent on the council.

I would also like to thank the chief executive Sean Harris and his dedicated staff who work behind the scenes in every department throughout the council.

After 20 years, I have now decided to hang up my hat and spend time with my family.

Giving up politics is not that easy when quite often new events emerge which are unpopular, such as the proposed new tax on motorists in the form of a congestion charge.

However, I will leave these decisions to those in control, hoping that the fairest decision is made.

I will watch with great interest.

Honorary Alderman G C Dennis Eskdale Grove, Farnworth