After six years as a councillor for Redenhall with Harleston Town Council Eric Bird has retired.

The 85-year-old, who had served as chairman of the council and the chairman of the finance committee, said his best moment as a councillor was helping to persuade the council to back the Have Your Say group.

The group was set up to find out the concerns of the town's residents and the Harleston and District Business Forum and Harleston's Future have both been established off the back of the group.

Mr Bird, who lives in Harleston, said: 'I am most pleased that I helped to persuade the council to get involved with the Have Your Say campaign. It is nice to know that now we have the other groups.

'I have had an interesting time but after six years it is time for some other people to come in. New people will bring in new ideas.'

Mr Bird, who also helped the council move away from its money troubles, said he will now focus his time on Harleston Information Plus, of which he is a trustee.

Ian Carstairs, who was chairman of the Have Your Say group, said: 'Eric was great. He has been a strong advocate of issues that were of great importance to the town.

'It was a pivotal step to have the town council endorsing the work of the group because it then validated it for everyone.'

Barry Wood, chairman of the council, added: 'Eric was a great councillor and he will be missed. He was someone who really

cared about people and the community.'