Councillors with a combined total of at least 40 years of service were thanked for their contribution to Oxenhope.

Councillors Tony Maw, David Ashcroft, Derrick Hopkinson and Joyce Harrop, of Oxenhope Parish Council, will not be standing in next month's local elections.

Speaking at the latest meeting of the parish council, chairman Cllr Ken Eastwood praised his departing colleagues' efforts to help make their parish an even better place in which to live.

Cllr Maw has been on the parish council for at least 13 years. He was chairman for a year and also served as vice chairman.

He was involved in having Oxenhope Play Area revamped. Outside of the parish council, he is chairman of Oxenhope Community Association which is in charge of the village's community centre.

"As a village, Oxenhope has its own unique character which is something I've wanted to ensure survives," he said.

Cllr Ashcroft has been a parish councillor since 2007.

He concentrated on liaising with the village's primary school and was a trustee of Oxenhope Millennium Green.

"As a councillor I've also been particularly interested in planning and heritage, making sure we encourage development but ensuring these developments are in keeping with the village design statement," he said.

Cllr Derrick Hopkinson, who is stepping down after eight years, said he had hugely enjoyed his time on the parish council but added it was the right time for him to cut back on his workload.

While on the council he has focused on rights of way issues, was instrumental in helping to set up Oxenhope Youth Club and looked after Marsh Common.

Cllr Joyce Harrop has served two separate stints on the parish council, totalling about 10 years, and has been a long-serving council allotments officer.

Alongside Cllr Maw she drew up a new emergency plan for the village.

Cllr Harrop, who works part time as a podiatrist in Bradford, said: "It is such a privilege for people to have an allotment plot. The allotments are one of the biggest assets the parish council has."