LONG-SERVING Liberal Democrat Cllr Miss Mary Mason is retiring as a Bolton councillor.

She will not stand for re-election in the Smithills ward in next month's local elections.

She was first elected to Bolton Council in 1986 and was re-elected in 1990 and 1994.

A lifelong Liberal, Mary has previously been chairman of the Bolton Liberal Democrats and the North West Regional Liberal Party.

She retired as Bolton Council's Director of Social Services in 1982.

For many years, she was a Justice of the Peace in Manchester and chairman of the juvenile court panel.

She said: "I have very much enjoyed my twelve years representing the people of Smithills.

"I am now nearly 74 and, although my health is reasonably good, I believe that this is the time to retire."

Mary will continue to serve as a non executive director of the Bolton Community Healthcare Bolton NHS Trust.

She also hopes to carry on as a governor of Smithills School and Devonshire Road primary school.

Smithills Liberal Democrats will select their candidate for the May elections before the end of the month.

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