Oswestry's town council clerk has announced he will step down in the summer after more than four decades of service.

David Preston joined the council from school in 1976 as an administrative trainee.

He was appointed Oswestry Town Clerk in 1984 and at that time was believed to be the youngest full-time town clerk in England and Wales. It is believed he is now the longest-serving full-time clerk in England and Wales.

Mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Sandy Best, said: "David has given amazing service to the council and the town.

"He has put us at the forefront of the local council sector winning many accolades, including Council of the Year on two occasions.

"David has brought huge amounts of external funding and contracts to the town and has been at the forefront of setting up many of the events and services that we provide.

"His knowledge of the town, his willingness to help others and his experience will be missed both locally and nationally but we are pleased that we will continue to work with him in his new role."

David, who is Oswestry born and bred, has been appointed as the new chief executive of the National Association of British Market Authorities and takes up his duties later in the year as the organisation celebrates its centenary.

He has held major national posts in both markets and local councils in his career, and was president of the Institute of Market Officers in 1997 and has recently completed his term of office as president of the Society of Local Council Clerks.

Cllr Best added: "All the councillors and staff at Oswestry Town Council wish him well for the future and we will be planning a process to appoint a successor in the weeks ahead.”