SID Pritchard, retiring managing director of Wychavon District Council, is a man of action. He likes to get things done.

No matter how large or many the obstacles, if a project is worth doing he'll find a way of seeing it through.

And he's had plenty of practice as a senior officer in local government and the managing director at Wychavon since 1999. He was closely involved in the transfer of Wychavon's council houses to newly formed housing associations in 1994, the centralisation of services to the Civic Centre in Pershore and the plans to bring Waitrose to Droitwich.

These were all huge schemes which involved many interested parties - some intent on co-operation and others with their heels firmly dug in.

He only wishes he could have seen the Droitwich canal restoration plan come to fruition. "We've got to dig a hole through the M5," he says with relish.

Mr Pritchard, aged 58, who retired yesterday, began his career in local government nearly 43 years ago as a trainee accountant with South East Derbyshire Rural District Council.

"I fell into it. I went for a job in a bank and also had interviews with local councils. South Derbyshire offered me the job first. Every time there has been an opportunity to go into the private sector it has been when we were moving house or my wife was pregnant so I chose the least risky path and stayed in local government," he says.

But he set himself clear goals, such as becoming a council treasurer and finally a managing director, during his long career. He also says the key to surviving and thriving in local government for so long is a good sense of humour and a clear sense of perspective.

"I also think one of the things that has helped me is that the only reason we are here is because of the public. I tell staff here that if you are dealing with somebody on the phone or in the office or out on the street, treat them how you expect you mother or grandmother to be treated."

He also advocates owning up, apologising and trying to put things right when a mistake is made.

Mr Pritchard readily admits he will miss his work terribly and those he's met through it, but he knew the time was right to move on. He plans to do consultancy work with two firms and wants to spend more time with his wife Judy as well as visiting relatives - in between rounds on various golf courses, that is.

But two things he won't miss are the people who never say "yes", don't want change, argue at every opportunity and refuse to work with the council; and the 30-mile drive to and from his home in Gloucestershire everyday.

He firmly believes local government should consist of unitary authorities rather than tiered government which he says creates barriers and confusion. "There is so much energy put into partnerships and if that energy was put into actually doing the job the services would improve."

He fears regional government will see more money ploughed into inner cities and rural areas like Worcestershire, which have substantial problems of their own, will not get a fair slice of the cake.

As he leaves Wychavon he wants to make a plea to the public. "Let your council help you."

"I wish the council and the people of Wychavon well. Local government has been good to me over the years and I would like to think that I have made a difference to people's lives."