SHE has been mayor of Test Valley, chairman of Hampshire County Council and a “special” councillor during her political career spanning over two decades.

But this week Pat West announced she was stepping down for “personal and private” reasons, triggering a byelection in May.

The Conservative county councillor, who represents Andover West, officially handed in her resignation notice on Monday.

The gran-of-two, who joined the borough council in 1995 representing Harrow Way before being elected to the county council in 1999, said: “I’m stepping down with a great deal of dignity and pride.

“My only sadness is that I will no longer be able to serve the people in my division whom I am indebted to for their friendship, loyalty and generosity and the fact they have taken me into their hearts.

“They are absolutely lovely people and it has been an honour to hold this position, but life moves on.”

Asked what her personal highlight was, she replied: “I think to represent the whole of the population of Hampshire as the chairman of the county council and to represent such wonderful people from all walks of life, especially in the voluntary sectors, who are the county’s unsung heroes.”

Cllr West’s decision ends her 16- year affiliation with the county council after she was first elected to Andover North in a by-election in 1999, following the death of Cllr Don Bentall.

She was also mayor of Test Valley in 2003/4 and has held voluntary roles including being a trustee at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice and a governor at Knights Enham Infants School.

County council leader Roy Perry said: “We are sorry to be losing Pat because she brought a very special quality and personality to the role.

“Her service and commitment to her division of Andover West was exemplary. She can be justly proud of the service she has given to Hampshire.”

Asked how she would be spending her spare time, Cllr West said: “When one door closes other doors open and these doors have started to open for me already.

“I will keep myself busy – I think it will be a case of a few months of retirement and then we will see what happens.”