EDUCATION leader Julien Kramer was due to attend his last full Worcestershire County Council meeting today.

Councillors and fellow officers were expected to pay tribute to the director of education, who will retire next month before the post is replaced by a director of children's services.

Mr Kramer joined the council in 1998 and his seven years at the helm have seen two excellent Ofsted reports, with the county now ranked among the top-five run LEAs in the country.

Exam results have also risen every year and at every key stage.

Richard Hubbard, from West Berkshire Council, will replace Mr Kramer in the new role as director of children's services.