It looks to be a case of all change at Chiltern District Council with more than a quarter of the current councillors not seeking re-election - including the current chairman and the Conservative group leader.

The authority's current chairman, Noel Brown, will be stepping down after representing the Hilltop ward in Chesham for nearly 40 years.

Andrew Garnett, the group chairman of the ruling Conservative party, will also not be seeking re-election for the Prestwood and Heath End ward.

Former leader John Warder and ex chairman Jeremy Ryman are among the 12 current members who will not be standing in next month's district council elections.

Cllr Brown, a veteran of 39 years' service with Chiltern, will remain as a Buckinghamshire County Council member and is seeking re-election to Chesham Town Council.

He said: "I made a decision to spend a bit more time with my family. I've been there 39 years and they have supported me a long time.

"I've done a fair stint. The decision was whether I should go back to district and be yesterday's man - I've had two years as chairman - or whether I keep on at county.

"I'm still going to be on the county council and I'm hoping to get back on the town council.

"The more I think about it, the more I realise there are little bits and pieces I will miss.

"I want to thank people for supporting me all that length of time, but I'll still be around. I've always put people before politics - I think that's how I've managed to hold on for so long."

Cllr Brown said he was initially voted on to the town council to fight for the pedestrianisation of Chesham town centre, and said seeing it come to fruition was one of his proudest achievements.

He said: "We were fighting to get traffic out of the High Street. It went through on a one vote majority, which I always say was mine."

Meanwhile, Cllr Garnett said he was not seeking re-election in order to focus on his professional career.

He said: "After nine years it's time to get some fresh blood in. I could hang around for another 30 years and I don't think that's healthy for Chiltern.

"I will miss it. I've enjoyed it - I get a lot out of being able to help local residents."

Conservative members Mark Vivis, David Spate, Michael Prince, Mark Cunnane and Nik Stewert will not stand for re-election - nor will Robert Burns-Green, who was elected to serve Little Missenden as a Tory but is now listed on the Chiltern District Council website as an independent member.

The Lib Dems' Pam Appleby is also stepping aside, while Howard Trevette - who is facing a crown court trial next month in relation to alleged fraud offences - is not standing for re-election either.

One of the most interesting election battles will be in the Newtown ward, where two former mayors of Chesham will go head-to-head.

Current ward member Mohammad Bhatti of Labour will seek to retain his seat ahead of the Conservatives' Mark Shaw. Diane Brackley of the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party's Phil Folly will also contest the seat.