Controversial Syd Collard, pictured with his wife Flo, will finally set his agendas aside - at the ripe old age of 85.

The former Lord Mayor and planning chief has decided not to stand for his Great Horton ward in the May elections.

But Coun Collard - one of Britan's oldest councillors - says he is appalled that three other former Lord Mayors have not been selected by the regional Labour party as prospective candidates.

Councillors Danny Mangham, Gordon Mitchell and Bob Sowman have appealed against the decision which forces them to retire from the Council in May.

The outspoken Labour politician, who in the past has hogged the headlines, also slammed the structures of modernised councils.

He said he would never have stood as a councillor if Bradford Council's system of an executive taking key decisions and scrutiny committees had been in force 16 years ago.

But his main wish before he steps down in May is to see the application for the £60 million Odsal Stadium redevelopment approved by Government Minister Stephen Byers.

Coun Collard said: "I look forward to seeing it happen. It will be a great asset to Bradford."

His passion since he joined Bradford Council in 1986 has been for planning, and his outspoken views have delighted or infuriated those involved.

Coun Collard said: "Planning has been one of my joys. But you are always going to get shot at for something. You can't please everybody, but I have a broad back and I can take it."

In recent years, Coun Collard has hit the headlines for:

l voting in favour of a caf/bar development on the site of towering Provincial House in Bradford city centre;

l hitting out at the new needle sculpture at Cheapside;

l describing the Bantams' new Carlsberg stand as a monstrosity for people living nearby when he saw the plans. The Labour group meeting was subsequently lobbied by Bradford City supporters.

But he said the highlight of his Council career was his term as Lord Mayor from 1992-3 with his wife Flo as Lady Mayoress.

He made headlines by choosing a new £27,000 luxury limousine to carry him around his official duties.

The retired certificate worker was based at the famous Conditioning House for 25 years and says one of his greatest wishes is to see it redeveloped.

But he added: "I am unhappy about the way things have developed since the old Council structure changed."

He said councillors were kept in the dark and could not represents their wards to the full if they were not kept informed.

"I feel it is a retrograde step and would never have stood for Council if it had been the system when I joined.

"I am also appalled about the highly experienced councillors who have not been placed on the candidates panel. A wealth of experience is being thrown away."

Coun Collard has been chairman of Shipley, Keighley and Bradford planning committees. He is a member of Bradford area planning panel and an alternate for the executive committee.