NEXT month will be the end of an era for local politics with the farewell of the former leader of Congleton Borough Council.

Linda Short has represented the Alsager East ward for 21 years, and has become one of the authority's best-known personalities.

She became council leader in 1987, but will no longer be a member of the council from May 2 after deciding not to seek re-election in the local elections.

Mrs Short is a member of the Independent Democrats, which formed after councillors broke with the council's Liberal Democrat group.

Fellow Independent Democrat Ann Thomson, who represents Congleton Central, is also not seeking re-election in the May 1 poll.

She is standing down because of the worsening effects of osteo-arthritis, from which she has suffered for 22 years.

"I'm very sad to be finishing, but because of my health I cannot do as good a job as I want to," said Mrs Thomson.

Congleton North West councillor Jeanne Whitehurst was a member of the breakaway group, but is standing in the elections as an independent.

Another major name not to seek re-election is borough mayor Trish Barlow, a Lib Dem group member who represents Odd Rode.

Gillian Burgess and Margaret Williamson are the Lib Dem candidates in Alsager East and Congleton Central.

The Lib Dems are not fielding a candidate in Congleton North West, where Mrs Whitehurst takes on the Conservatives and Labour.

In Odd Rode Lib Dem Linda Hemsley is hoping to take over from Mrs Barlow.