BEDALE town councillors said goodbye to their clerk Richard Howard who retired after ten years.

Past and present members gathered after the council meeting to bid him farewell. Mayor Cllr Christine Mollard said: "Thank you for all you have done over the past decade, you’ve done a marvellous job, we just hope you enjoy your retirement.”

Mr Howard, who took over as clerk after retiring from North Yorkshire County Council, thanked councillors who presented him with a golfing weekend. He said: "Past and present mayors and councillors have made a real contribution to the council and the community, and well done to them for serving, it is all of you who will ensure continuity.

“I thought it was only going to be for a couple of years and lo and behold ten years have passed, and it has gone by extremely quickly. It is because you have stayed the distance, no matter what your different points of view you all have Bedale at heart and that is key to progress.”

Assistant clerk Charlie Hart is to take over.