A SENIOR politician is retiring after 20 years as a Bradford councillor.

Councillor John Ruding, who chairs the Bradford district licensing panel, will not stand for re-election in May 2015.

The Tong councillor said his proudest achievements during his time at the authority included chairing a committee which oversaw the introduction of Bradford's 'ring of steel' CCTV camera system.

This has helped the police solve a host of major crimes, including tracking down the killers of PC Sharon Beshenivsky and bringing them to justice.

Cllr Ruding, a former serviceman, said he was also incredibly proud of his role as the authority's Armed Forces community champion.

In particular, he described his work in helping to introduce a military covenant as "the most satisfying thing I have done" at the Council.

The covenant is designed to make it easier for service personnel, veterans and their families to access support in the district.

Cllr Ruding, 66, served ten years with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, rising to the rank of Corporal.

He left in 1975, and became a firefighter, working mainly from Bradford fire station.

Although he had always been interested in politics, Cllr Ruding said he didn't always have a burning desire to sit on the Council, saying he was initially a "fairly reluctant" councillor.

He said eventually he "ran out of excuses" and in 1994 stood for election in the Tong ward after Gerry Sutcliffe left the council to become an MP.

Cllr Ruding, who lives in Bierley, said while it sounded clichéd to say so, he really was leaving politics to spend more time with his family - his wife Pauline, his two children and his two grandchildren.

He will remain as chairman of the governors at Newhall Park Primary School, Bierley.

Cllr Ruding (Lab) said the decision not to stand for re-election had been entirely his, despite a number of his fellow Labour councillors failing to be selected in a major reshuffle being led by the regional party.

On the shake-up, he said: "I am surprised at what has happened. I think we are going to lose some very valued and experienced colleagues."

And he said local councils in general were facing an uncertain future.

He said: "Local government is facing a very demanding time and it is probably going to get even more demanding as the spending cuts continue.

"I wish them good luck, because it is not going to be easy."