ONE of Chorley’s longest-serving councillors who ‘always did his best for residents’ has decided to step down from the borough council.

Eric Bell took the decision to resign his position following the postponement of the local elections in May at which he was due to retire, having served on Chorley Council since 1989.

After 31 years Eric looked back on his time at the council with great fondness, and said it was the fact he was able to make a difference to people’s lives and the friendly nature of the place that kept him going for so long.

“I’ve had a brilliant time serving the people of Chorley – I’ve been here to make the borough a better place to live and I look back on my 31 years on Chorley Council with happy memories,” said Eric.

“One thing that stands out for me is how friendly the people are here – whether that’s residents who need some help or fellow councillors. We may have our disagreements in the council chamber but afterwards we are all friends looking to do the best for the borough, and that’s the way it should be.”

Eric started his career in politics as a parish councillor.