A COUNCILLOR involved in Basildon politics for 25 years is to retire after he was dropped as a candidate by his party.

Geoff Buckenham will not be a Tory candidate for the Burstead ward at the next council elections, after losing a ballot among fellow Conservatives.

Mr Buckenham, a former chairman of Basildon Council, had put himself forward, but was not chosen.

Mr Buckenham, 74, was first elected a Tory for the Laindon ward and has been a district councillor on and off for the past 25 years.

He said: “I feel disappointed, but I am not going to break down.

“I will be meeting my successor before I stand down and I shall be supporting him in the coming elections in May.

“I wish him every success in the elections and the future.”

Anthony Hedley, ward member for Billericay West, said: “Geoff has given a very valuable service and has always been a friend and a colleague you can rely on.

“There is no doubt he will be sorely missed as a councillor.”