Aberdeen’s longest serving councillor has announced he will not stand again at the next council elections.

Len Ironside has been a councillor for the past 35 years, having first been elected as a Grampian regional councillor in 1982.

Cllr Ironside said it was a “torturous decision” to decide not to stand at the next local authority elections in May.

As he spoke of being a councillor, he said: “It actually takes over your whole life.

“Some people don’t have jobs that long. It’s time to stand down and let someone take on the mantle.

“I just feel that now I need some space and time.”

The Labour councillor said people have asked him to get involved in other things including charity work, something he is keen to pursue after he stands down.

He also plans to spend more time involved in his keen hobbies – wrestling and singing.

The former wrestler intends to take a more active role coaching wrestlers in the city.

He is also chairman of the Granite City Chorus.

Cllr Ironside, who represents Kingswells, Sheddocksley and Summerhill, added: “It’s been challenging and difficult but it has been good as well. It’s really quite a privilege to be a councillor and serve your city and I’m grateful that citizens have returned me for 35 years.

Cllr Ironside served for more than 10 years as leader of three Labour groups on the council.

He also became council leader in 2003, a role he served for four years.

Mr Ironside is also famously a former Scottish, Commonwealth and European wrestling champion.

He was officially made a CBE in 2003, a move he said was “totally unexpected”.

His CBE – Commander of the British Empire – is for services to local government and the community.

It is one of the highest awards in the Queen’s list.