A CORSHAM Town Council stalwart is stepping down in the hope of introducing local politics to younger residents.

Councillor Maz Wakeman, who has represented the Pickwick ward for the past 16 years, announced she will not be standing for re-election on May 4.

"I have definitely enjoyed my time," the 58-year-old said. "If you are a nosy person it is fantastic because you find out all sorts of things you didn't know before. I signed up to be a councillor temporarily from October through to May about 16 years ago and I stayed on.

"I am stepping down because I was hoping some younger people would take on the role – but unfortunately it doesn't look like it this year."

Coun Wakeman, who is currently the chairman of the Property and Amenities Committee, said she will look back on her time in the council fondly, including her recent success in recruiting officers.

She said: "I did the recruitment with Corsham Town Council a few years ago and it was fantastic. We recruited some brilliant people and the officers we have down there are fantastic because they get on with it. We seemed to pick the right people at the right time.

"My advice for new councillors is to shut up and listen for a bit and it will all make sense. Don't volunteer for all of the committees on the first day because you will get selected for them all."

Corsham Town Council will welcome 12 new faces to the town council in May, as each of the candidates in the four wards were unopposed. Liberal Democrats Kelly and Andrew Duckhouse and Lucy Bray take three of the seven available seats in Corsham Town ward while Rodney Taylor takes one of the two seats in the Corsham Gastard ward.

Corsham Pickwick ward will welcome Steve Abbott, Mervyn Jackson, Liberal Democrats Neville Farmer, Ruth Hopkinson, Neil Pocock and Independent David Jones to six of the seven available seats while Charles Fuller and Independent Raymond Le-Var take two of the three remaining seats in the Corsham Neston ward.