A town and borough councillor is to step down next May after around 15 years in office.

Labour councillor Ernie Butler, who represents the Borehamwood Cowley Hill ward, will step down at the May election and will retire from all council duties.

Mr Butler contacted the Borehamwood Times this week after friends and colleagues organised a surprise retirement party for him over the weekend.

He thought he was going for dinner in Barnet with his daughter, and so was amazed to see so many old faces come out to wish him luck in his retirement.

He added: “It was fantastic, I was so gobsmacked. It was the first time anyone has ever done anything like this.”

Cllr Butler retired from his job just after Christmas, and has since moved to Newport Pagnell with his wife.

He plans to continue his work with both councils until the next election and added his thanks to all his colleagues and constituents for making his years in office so memorable.

The 67-year-old said: “I will always come back to the town, and will always support the town council and its good work.

"I would like to thank my family, friends and fellow councillors and officers from the town council for throwing the party for me, and I hope all my constituents feel I have been able to improve their lives for the better in some way.

“I do love Borehamwood and it is always going to be in my heart, but I have got to move on with my life now.”