ONE of the borough’s youngest councillors has announced he will not be standing for his seat this year.

Martin Aldred has served Atherton since being elected in 2015 at the age of 21.

The Labour representative will not be fighting to keep his seat at the local elections in May as he plans to focus on university studies to follow a career in education and carry out work for charity Dementia Buddy.

Cllr Aldred said: “It has been a huge honour to represent the ward of Atherton and been part of the community and council to bring brilliant facilities and funds to our beloved town.

"These include the regenerated town hall, the redeveloped Howe Bridge leisure centre, the amazing cenotaph memorial garden, the Bluebell boundary garden, Atherton Parish Church's central heating system and so much more to even reference.

"I will endeavour to return to front-line politics in the not to distant future.

"I would like to give a big thank you all to the 2,700 plus residents who voted for me back in 2015. You gave me an unbelievable experience that I will never forget.”