THE town's civic leaders will see the end of an era and the beginning of a new one next month when their clerk of 16 years retires.

Graham Pharo, the clerk of Droitwich Spa Town Council, is retiring after more than 40 years serving local government.

The 58-year-old is set to be replaced by Diane Malley, a married mother-of-two from Marlbrook, Bromsgrove.

Diane met members of the council at a meeting on Monday night and is due to join them at the end of August.

Before he became the town clerk Graham, who lives in Charlton, was an officer at Wychavon District Council for ten years and often dealt with matters concerning Droitwich.

"I have mixed feelings about leaving," he said.

"I have many outside interests such as playing the church organ and the jazz piano as well as gardening and walking, so it'll be nice to have more time to pursue those.

"I am looking forward to the freedom which retirement will bring but I will also be sad not to be able to meet the many friends that I have made on such a regular basis."

He added: "I obviously plan to keep in touch with them and I have also made myself available to give any help that is needed in the future."

Diane has previously worked as a clerk to a parish council and currently works for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, where she has worked in the internal audit section.

Graham added: "Diane is a confident local government officer and displays an enthusiastic interest in the town.

"She has a very pleasant manner and I am sure that she will have some interesting promotional ideas which will benefit Droitwich Spa."