Councillor Bill Archer to retire aged 83

??Sandwell's longest-serving councillor today announced he was stepping down after almost 40 years.

Bill Archer, aged 83, who announced he was "thinking about" retiring last week, has now sent a letter to Sandwell Council announcing he is standing down immediately.

He has sent letters to interim chief executive Jan Britton and Conservative group leader Ray Nock.

Councillor Archer, who lives in Churchfields Road, was due to retire in 2012 and a by-election for his Wednesbury North seat is expected to be called in November.

He has not missed a full council meeting in all the 36 years he has served and said he made the decision due to health problems and to care for his 81-year-old wife Freda.