A FLAMBOYANT political figure has revealed he will bow out at the next election.

Councillor Russell Hart, the town's former Labour Party and council leader, will not seek re-election to Hartlepool Borough Council in May's elections.

Coun Hart, who has represented the Rossmere ward for the past 13 years, told fellow Labour members, however, that he will remain active in local politics.

The 55-year-old, who owns an accountancy business and runs a nursing home, also stood down from Cleveland Police Authority earlier this month.

Coun Hart said: "During the 13 years that I have been councillor, much has been achieved for the town, particularly in the Rossmere ward.

"May I thank the people of Rossmere, who have helped me to win every election. I have been the leader of the town and for me there is no greater honour.

"I have been pleased to represent the town at regional, national and European level.

"There have been some tough and challenging times and I have accepted those challenges head-on, my thoughts always being for the good of our town and its people."

His flamboyant style of leadership won him as many critics as admirers. He led the council for a year until May 2000, when Labour lost overall control of the council for the first time in 22 years.

The Labour Party is expected to announce its candidate for the Rossmere ward at a meeting next week.