Craven councillor Joan Ibbotson has announced she will not be standing for re-election after 12 years on the council.

Joan, who represents the Aire Valley Ward as an Independent on Craven District Council, was due to fight for her seat in May.

But she said: "I just want to recharge my batteries and have a little bit of time to myself and my family. I've done 12 years and given a lot of time and energy to my Council work and hopefully I've done some good."

Joan joked that she was "conned" into standing for the Aire Valley seat for the Liberal Democrats back in 1988.

"I never thought I'd get elected, but I've never regretted it," she said.

Joan chose to leave the Liberal Democrats last year along with many other councillors, particularly those in South Craven. "I think politics is playing too much of a role in local councils," she said.

Throughout her 12 years service, she has served on just about every committee and has been outspoken on issues such as the Kildwick industrial estate.

Cononley's Ron Beale has been chosen to stand in Joan's place at the election on May 4.

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