A CROFT councillor who has dedicated 35 years to his community has stepped down.

Jim Hilton has resigned from Croft Parish Council for health reasons.

Among his achievements are helping to develop the Memorial Hall in its early years, launching Croft Carnival, founding the village's Scout unit and improving Croft Playing Fields.

But Mr Hilton, who has been married to his wife Pauline for 52 years, said he was most proud of turning Croft Youth Centre into a community hub.

The former chief works engineer for Massey Ferguson helped introduce dance hall nights at the Smithy Lane centre that was once threatened by a housing development.

He also helped transform the adjoining disused land into a football field.

"There was no meeting place in the village and no one was doing anything about it," he said.

Mr Hilton was on the board of governors for Croft Primary School for 15 years and fought for improved facilities so that more youngsters could be educated in the village.

He added: "They could only fit 12 in a classroom so something had to be done."

More recently Mr Hilton helped set up a bowling green in Croft by applying for funds through Biffa's landfill tax credit scheme.

Cllr Jeff Shelley, speaking on behalf of Croft Parish Council, said: "We would like to express our strong appreciation for the work and personal contribution that Jim made in support of various activities and functions that make up the needs of the village and its residents."

A notice of a casual vacancy at Croft Parish Council has been advertised to fill Mr Hilton's seat on the council.