A POPULAR carnival chairman is leaving his top post after a decade of hard work.

Jeff Evans, of Moorsom Way, Aston Fields, is retiring from the job after being the longest serving chairman of the Bromsgrove Carnival committee.

Jeff said he would be very sad to leave the role, but it was time to move on and let a fresh leader take the carnival forward.

In preparation for a new chairman the carnival will this year go back to a one day event, although the Timberhonger race will still take place the following day. It has been a two-day event for the past four years.

When asked about the highlights of his ten years as chairman, Jeff said everything had been a highlight.

"From smiling faces, to loud music and warm sunny days, I have enjoyed every aspect of being chairman," he said.

"I have loved seeing the people follow the procession and I have loved standing in the High Street waiting for the procession to arrive."

Jeff said his job as chairman had been made easy by the committee, who had all done their jobs and made his a "delight".

He said he also wanted to thank previous chairman Mary Marsh.

"When I took on the role I did so with intrepidation, but I can't thank Mary Marsh enough.

"This job has been a dream and although I am very sad to go it is time to move on."