Three councillors, with a combined total of 86 years of service, are leaving Otley’s local council this May.

Councillor Graham Kirkland, who is also a member of Leeds City Council, is not seeking re-election to Otley Town Council after 44 years on Otley’s local council, as he wants to concentrate his efforts on the city council.

Councillor Christine Campbell, who has served Otley for 28 years, and Councillor Millie Stott, who has represented Otley for a total of 14 years, are also leaving.

Coun Kirkland was chairman of the town council’s forerunner, Otley Urban District Council, in its final year, from 1973 to 1974, before its duties were taken over by Leeds City Council. He also served as Town Mayor from 1986 to 1987.

Coun Kirkland represents the Otley and Yeadon ward on Leeds City Council.

He said: “I have decided to concentrate my efforts on Leeds City Council. For health reasons I have had to give up driving and travel to Leeds by public transport, while clean and efficient takes nearly an hour and a half extra per meeting. Naturally, after so long, it will be a major wrench to leave.

Emotional tributes were paid to the three stalwarts of Otley Town Council this week. Town Mayor Councillor Ray Smith, praising Coun Kirkland for all his work over 44 years, said: “Graham is, and was, a doctor.

“Here’s a man who has dedicated his life to making other people better and, not satisfied with that, has spent much of his life trying to make the place he lives in better, too.

“We owe him a very special thanks, he has so much knowledge about this town, we’ll be at a loss without him.”

Coun Smith also praised Councillors Campbell and Stott for their unstinting work for the community and for being “the eyes and ears of the town”.

Coun Stott has been a councillor for a total of 14 years, serving over two periods, while Coun Campbell has served for 28 years since first being elected in 1983.

Coun Smith said: “What service – incredible.”

Coun Kirkland, addressing his final town council meeting, said: “Do you know what was top of the pops when I first got onto the council?

“It was Engelbert Humperdinck’s Please Release Me. And now, 44 years later, it’s come true.”

Council leader Councillor Jim Spencer later presented all three with special certificates of gratitude.