IT’S the end of an era for one Hampshire councillor.

Godfrey Olson OBE, the longest serving councillor in the country, has revealed he will not be seeking re-election this year.

After 61 years in service the conservative councillor has officially announced he won’t be facing the polls for Eastleigh Borough Council when his present term of office ends in May 2016.

It comes a year after the Hiltingbury East ward councillor won an award for his loyal and long-standing service.

He said: “I am very appreciative of the residents of Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury who have supported me over the past 61 years. I wish to extend my thanks to all the colleagues that have served with me and to the staff of Eastleigh Borough Council for their help and courtesy during my time as a member of the Council.

“I wish Dan Hatfield who is standing in Hiltingbury East good luck and every success in the election to be held on May 5.”

Cllr Olson has been a major part of the Eastleigh community, having seen the advent of the motorways, the end of the railways works in the town as a major employer and the area transformed during his time in office.

The Daily Echo previously revealed that the impressive councillor has never to the best of his knowledge even missed a full council meeting.

Cllr Olson has been on the borough council ever since he joined in 1955 and last year said he had no plans to retire soon.