After 16 years of “sterling service”, a familiar councillor will step down as Hertfordshire County Council representative for Woodside and Stanborough.

Colleagues paid tribute to Councillor Derek Scudder, of Garston Crescent, who has decided to call it a day ahead of May’s county council elections.

However the Liberal Democrat will continue to serve the area as a Watford borough councillor – a position he has held since 1994.

Cllr Scudder said: “It has been a real privilege to have served on the county council for Stanborough and Woodside, and I’d like to thank the residents for all the support that they have given me.”

Councillor Tim Williams, who has been selected to stand as his party’s candidate for the Stanborough and Woodside division at the upcoming elections on May 4, said: “Derek has been fantastic for our area, and he has without doubt worked tirelessly for all of us on so many matters at county hall.

“He has a great record of getting things done.”

Cllr Williams has been a borough councillor for the past five years, campaigning for safety improvements to be installed on the A405, and for the retention of the condemned R8 and 346 Mullany’s bus services.