A councillor is to step down at the next election to spend more time with his family.

Councillor Zameer Shah (Con) has decided not to contest his seat in Bowling and Barkerend at the polls on May 22.

Coun Shah said: “I have been involved in local politics for over a decade – in 2001 I first stood in a by-election.

“I thought I would now give my family a little more time. Hopefully, as I have said to my group and the community, I am looking to come back in the future.”

He thanked everyone who had supported him over the years.

Coun Shah’s seat will be contested by Rizwana Jamil (Lab), Ashraf Miah (Respect), Zaf Shah (Con) and Michael Stelling (Lib Dem).