A FORMER mayor will retire from Kirklees Council this year.

Clr Margaret Fearnley announced this week that she will stand down when her four-year term ends in May.

The Lib Dem has represented the Colne Valley ward – which includes Slaithwaite, Linthwaite and Marsden – for 14 years.

She was first elected in a by-election in January 1997 following the death of Clr Heather Swift two months earlier.

Clr Fearnley said yesterday: “I remember I said at the time that I would be happy to stand in for the two years to complete Heather’s term.

“In the event, I have been there ever since.”

Clr Fearnley was re-elected three times and served as Mayor of Kirklees in 2005/06.

Her ward colleagues paid tribute to the Linthwaite woman yesterday.

Clr Nicola Turner said: “Margaret, with her husband Barry, has been a tower of strength for the Liberal Democrats in the Colne Valley.

“She is a well-respected colleague who has built up a very strong allegiance with the electorate. I have been very lucky to have been able to work with her over the past five years.”

Clr David Ridgway added: “I thought Heather Swift would be a really hard act to follow, but Margaret has stood tall and taken on all that Heather did and so much more.

“I thank Margaret for all her hard work, encouragement and support. I hope she will enjoy a long and happy retirement.”

The Lib Dems have chosen Slaithwaite book-keeper Lynn Bradbury to contest the Colne Valley seat in May’s election.

“It is a real privilege to be selected as Margaret’s successor”, she said.

“All I can promise is to do my best for all the people in the Colne Valley.”

Mrs Bradbury added that road safety would be a priority in her election campaign.

She said: “I am particularly keen to introduce 20mph schemes to slow down traffic and make our roads safer.”

The Lib Dems held the Colne Valley seat last year, winning 3,898 votes, with the Conservatives second on 2,452 and Labour on 1,688.

One of the three seats in each of the 23 wards of Kirklees will be up for grabs in this year’s election.

Clr Fearnley is the third councillor to announce she will not defend her seat in May’s poll.

Liversedge and Gomersal Conservative Clr Derrick Yates said in November he would not run again.

The following month Labour’s Clr Mary Harkin announced she would not defend her Batley East seat in this year’s election.