Dorchester town clerk Adrian Stuart has announced he will retire next March – after more than eight years with the town council.

He came to the authority from the former combined West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Town mayor councillor Gareth Jones said that in addition to all his other attributes and achievements Mr Stuart had done the town a great service by putting together the town council's first strategy document – which now guides the council's work.

The vacant position is expected to be advertised shortly.