BURY's social services chief is to retire in the New Year.

David Ashworth is to take early retirement as Borough Social Services Officer from March 31, severing a 20-year long link with the department.

He joined the council in 1978 as an assistant director and in that role had responsibilities for a variety of services from administration and finance to residential and day care.

In 1992 he became Acting Director of Social Services, an appointment which was confirmed two years later.

Earlier this year, as part of reorganisation at the council, he became Borough Social Services Officer.

David said of his 34 years in social services: "I began as a temporary clerk in a children's department at the age of 16 and I have worked my way up over the years to my present position.

"As well as the variety within Social Services, my career has also taken me around the country and given me the opportunity to work in areas as diverse as Pembrokeshire, Hackney, Kensington and Portsmouth."

A married man with two children, he lives in Rossendale and is looking forward to retirement.

"It is widely recognised that Social Services is one of the toughest fields to work in," he said. "Having said that, I have certainly enjoyed my service in Bury and my role in charge of the department.

"During that time there have been significant improvements in the services we offer in the borough and I am proud to have played a part in that." ?

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