The 71-year-old Ifield councillor said: "I've come to the stage that I'm due for re-election at the end of the month, I've had a good old run.

"I'm still on the county council but sooner or later you've got to call it a day."

Stalwart John, who started on the council in 1972, doesn't intend to withdraw from borough politics altogether.

He said: "I'll still be there, I shall still go to the old public meetings.

"And I still go round The Plough which is the finest pub in Crawley and they keep me on my toes."

One time Mayor in 1979 and 1980, John was born in Ifield, the neighbourhood he has served for the majority of his political career.

He played football for Ifield in his youth and it was a conversation about the Labour Party that he overheard on the pitch one day that sparked his interest in politics.

John said: "I don't regret a thing.

"I've had a lot of support from my wife, I won't say she's never moaned at me, but I've been very, very lucky."