A COUNCILLOR who represented his ward for more than two decades has resigned his seat.

Former Barrow Council leader Dave Pidduck, who represented Hindpool, said he had left his post after 24 years because of his dislike of virtual meetings and to spend more time with his family.

The 76-year-old was first elected to the council in 1996 after he took early retirement from his job as a welding lecturer at Furness College.

He said his time as a councillor had been an ‘interesting journey’ and thanked residents in his ward.

Mr Pidduck served as leader of the council for 12 years before being defeated in a ballot for the role last year, being replaced by Ann Thomson.

Explaining his resignation, he said: “I have a very strong dislike of social media.

“There are people on social media who shouldn’t be allowed out on their own.

“Since we started doing virtual meetings and councillors were using Whatsapp, I thought it was time to go.

“I’m a real person, not a virtual person.”

Paying tribute to the people of Hindpool, he said: “I thank the Hindpool residents for their support. It’s been an interesting journey.

“It’s been a real privilege to represent people.”

Listing the highlights of his time as a councillor, he said regeneration projects in the ward had been among his proudest achievements.

He also mentioned once constituent who had sent him a thank you card after helping them secure support for a problem.

Mr Pidduck, who lives on Oxford Street, became a governor at St James School when he was first elected to the council and will continue in that role.

“I’m not abandoning the people of Hindpool,” he said.

He thanked council staff at the town hall, calling them an excellent ‘group of public servants’.

Anne Burns paid tribute to her fellow Hindpool councillor.

She said: “He’s been an anchor in the community - a fabulous ward councillor.

“He shattered me when he resigned.”