AFTER eight years of dedicated service to Wycombe, a councillor who “put her heart and soul into everything” will depart the political scene in May.

Ex-High Wycombe Mayor Cllr Val Razzaq has said she will not stand for re-election in May.

She cited the furore over the community stadium as the reason for her exit, saying she had become 'very disillusioned'.

Cllr Razzaq was at the heart of one of the most extraordinary election results the district has witnessed, when in 2007, she was handed victory courtesy of a hat draw.

Following numerous recounts she was matched with UKIP's Brian Pearce on 410 votes.

So both names were put in a hat, and hers came out.

Just days after, Cllr Razzaq became the Mayor – following in the footsteps of late husband 'Raz' who also held the title.

And at the town's traditional weighing-in ceremony was weighted in she was watched by James Bond and Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane - as part of his television show called Incredible Britain.

A year later, on leaving the position, she spoke of her pride and announced her fundraising total had reached £17,500.

The High Wycombe born and bred politician was found at the second weighing in ceremony to have not been piling on the pounds at the public's expense – and therefore escaped the boos.

"I've just been weighed in and it's no more - thank goodness for that,” she said at the time.

Jim Tanner, the High Wycombe Mayor in 1989, was “quite surprised” to hear she was standing down.

“I know her very well since when her husband was the Mayor.”

Mr Tanner served as a Labour councillor in Booker and Castlefield and later Totteridge, from 1983 to 1999, both at country and district level.

He said: “I have a great respect and liking for. I think she's a marvellous woman. She's put her heart and soul into everything she has done.

“I know she did an outstanding job and have a lot of affection for her.”

He said it would be a loss to Wycombe to not have her serving after the May elections.

Buckinghamshire County Councillor Bob Woollard said: “I have written to her to say I applaud her principled stand on this item and to wish her well.

“I knew her late husband Raz and I'm sure he would have been very proud of her.”

Speaking also of Cllr Jean Teasdale, he said: “They are both to be congratulated in my view on taking a principled stand on something they believe strongly in.

“The public elect councillors not to be lobby fodder but speak out on behalf of the public they represent and vote according to their conscience.”