A VETERAN councillor is retiring from local politics after decades of dedicated service to the town and the district.

Pat Merrick submitted her resignation as a member of Malvern Town Council on Tuesday, December 7, following her move out of Malvern to a new home in Surrey.

Mrs Merrick has served since 2003. Before that, she was a member of Malvern Hills District Council for many years. One of the main focuses of her time on both councils was her 30-year campaign to have a new hospital built in the town.

This has of course culminated in the new hospital in the old Seaford Court site on Worcester Road, Malvern Link, which was due to admit its first patients this week.

This week, town council chairman Paul Tuthill, said: "Pat Merrick has served the district and the town well over many years, and this culminated with her successful campaign to have the new hospital built.

"Pat has now moved to Surrey to be near her daughter, and we wish her all the best for the future."

Mrs Merrick's resignation means that her seat in the Pickersleigh ward is now empty. Normally the council would be obliged to hold an election or co-opt a volunteer to fill the seat.

However, since a full town council election is scheduled for next May, within six months of the resignation, the council is not obliged to fill the vacancy.

Mrs Merrick's resignation will be officially reported to the council when it meets on Tuesday, December 14, at the council office on Belle Vue Terrace at 6.15pm.