THE founder of Westbury's special needs Imperial Charity has decided to stand down due to health issues.

David McCance called time on his 28 years at the special needs charity at its annual general meeting on Monday, citing recent health problems and wanting to spend more time with his family.

Despite being hugely proud of what the charity, which has shops in the town's High Street and in Warminster Road, has accomplished since it formed in 1989, the 80-year-old says now is a good time to move on.

"It is an immense source of pride, knowing the good we have done over the years. I was a little sad to say my goodbyes but it was the right thing to do as my health is not what it once was," he said.

"I started the charity when my daughter Ella, who has Down's syndrome, was five, and even though times have been hard and we have had our ups and downs, she has been a huge source of inspiration for me. I gave up my job in my early 50s and I set this up for her and I am proud of our legacy.

"To think that we started out in a little office in Warminster, making menus for restaurants and then having a printing press here, and now setting up two charity shops in Westbury, we have come a long way.

"We have arranged fun days across the south west, putting on jumble sales, arranging parties and putting on variety shows which have been very successful, and we have donated to dozens of great causes over the years.

"I wish the charity the best of luck in the future."

Over the years Imperial Charity has supported the likes of the Children's Heart Circle for Down’s Syndrome Children, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and the Leukaemia Society among others.

Mr McCance's last act at the charity was to donate a £900 cheque to one of his favourite causes, Trowbridge children's charity Stepping Stones, a place his daughter went for several years.

"Stepping Stones is a charity that is very close to my heart as staff there looked after Ella for several years before she went to school, so I was very happy to hand over this cheque to them," he added.

The charity are in talks about finding his successor and are looking for more trustees and volunteers to join as well. For more information visit www.imperialcharity.co.uk