KINGSWINFORD voters face a double decision after councillor Richard Burt announced he is to quit local government.

The Liberal Democrat councillor is to stand down at the coming local elections, set for Thursday May 3.

The move comes 12 months before cllr Burt's term of office was due to expire, leaving two seats up for grabs in the Kingswinford North and Wall Heath ward.

Cllr Burt said: "It has been an immense privilege to represent our villages on Dudley Council for more then a decade.

"During that time I have dealt with thousands of enquiries and hope that I played my part in helping to keep Kingswinford and Wall Heath the pleasant and sought after places to live that they are today."

As a keen marathon runner the 51-year-old takes a strong line on leisure issues, campaigning against the closure of Brierley Hill baths and supporting efforts to improve parks and open spaces in the borough.

Cllr Burt was also outspoken in his criticism of protestors against plans for a skatepark in Kingswinford, saying they were stabbing young people in the back.

During his council career he led the borough Lib Dem group for six years but now says national parliamentary pressures mean it is time to leave Dudley.

He said: "Since my wife Lorely was elected as Member of Parliament for Solihull, it has become increasingly difficult for me to devote enough time and energy to the job.

"I still harbour some aspirations to join her in Westminster at the next election."

Cllr Burt is standing for the House of Commons at the next general election in the Worcestershire West constituency.

He finished third in the race for the Shrewsbury and Atcham seat when the UK last went to the polls in 2005.