A VILLAGE is on the look out for someone to take over its day to day affairs - following the resignation of its long standing clerk.

Village stalwart Janet Sunderland, 63, of St Giles Garth, Bramhope, is standing down after six years as parish council clerk.

The grandmother wants to spend more time with her family and has also been influenced by a spell of poor health, and the demands of the job.

She said: "I've got five grandchildren. Four of them live in France, and another in Cambridge. I just want to be able to see them growing up."

Mrs Sunderland has lived in the village for 38 years, and her husband, Philip, is a parish councillor.

She said that while the job has been rewarding, she has found that being parish clerk has meant a lot more than simply taking the minutes at council meetings, and producing the next agenda.

Mrs Sunderland has also handled any correspondence for the council, and listens to any concerns raised by members of the community at any time of day.

Her work has also entailed the management of the village cemetery, which involves making sure all regulations and council rules on burials are followed - and even being on hand when the burial takes place to en-sure things run smoothly.

She has also felt it was her duty to pursue parish matters with Leeds City Council.

"I love this village, and I try to get the best for this village. I always chase up Leeds City Council, and I think I'm quite well-known down there," said Mrs Sunderland.

As first point of contact for the parish council, Mrs Sunderland has become a well-known face in the village, and has found that council business often come she way when she is out and about in Bramhope.

"Even when I go to church, people will stop me and say to me 'will you look into this'. I also lead a church walk, and I've ended up taking on council business on the walk," she said.

However, she says the job has also proved to be very rewarding, and she is pleased to see villagers benefit from the efforts of herself and the council.

With Mrs Sunderland's departure, the parish council has to seek an enthusiastic person to take on the role.

Councillor Clive Fox said tribute would be paid to Mrs Sunderland's work at her last meeting.

A group of parish councillors, including Coun Fox, Alastair Thompson, and chairman Colin Robertson, were due to discuss the recruitment of a new parish clerk.

l Anyone interested in the position can contact Coun Robertson on (0113) 284 2859.