A PROUD Gourockian who has served the people of the town for the last 15 years is standing down as a councillor.

Ronnie Ahlfeld has decided not to stand for re-election in May.

Mr Ahlfeld, 74, says it has been a huge honour to represent his local community as an independent but his age and ill health mean have prompted his retirement.

He said: "I have decided not to seek re-election.

"Unfortunately health and age have overtaken me.

"The last fifteen years have simply flown in and I would like to thank my brilliant support teams from Cardwell Bay to Faulds Park for all their assistance and encouragement over the years."

The community campaigner was IBM's regional communication manager for Scotland and said his love of his home town had prompted him to join the council in 2007.

He said: "I felt Gourock had been neglected and people were pretty despondent.

"The town was a wreck, parts of it were in a really poor state.

"We had been promised so much for so long and even our famous swimming pool was under threat.

"I wanted to to get people to take a pride again in the town.

"That was everything to me."

Mr Ahlfeld took more than 45 per cent of the vote in Inverclyde West in the 2017 election and describes himself as a 'Gourock man through and through'.

He said: "I have worked away during my career, but I knew I always wanted to come back home and I have five generations of family in Gourock.

"It has been an immense privilege representing my town and the people.

"I have genuinely been amazed and humbled at the level of support where thousands of local people voted for me in the last three elections.

"The support from the town has been unbelievable.

"I've had the biggest number of votes of any candidate in the last two elections."

"I want to say a very special thanks to my agent Brian Woods, who has orchestrated my campaigns with military provision, and of course the dozens of campaign helpers over the years."

Ronnie was given a special presentation by the Eastern View Tenants' and Residents' Association as he announced his retirement.

Secretary Hamish MacLeod said: "We feel Ronnie has worked above and beyond.

"He was also our independent chair for our AGM on three or four occasions, helped us with our tenants room and negotiated over the car park. He made my job as secretary easier."

Ronnie admits he has mixed feelings about standing down.

He says he feels the future of the town will be in good hands if fellow independent Lynne Quinn is re-elected.

Mr Ahlfeld said: "I feel sad but it's time for me to move on.

"I remember the chat at the time was that we would never get two independents in Gourock and we did.

"One of the best things I ever did was to endorse Lynne, who is an excellent councillor and will continue being a great voice for the town and the people."

Mr Ahlfeld says he is leaving Gourock in a much better condition than it was when he was first elected.

He said: "Our town bears no resemblance to the wreck we all had to endure fifteen years ago.

"Our town centre is now developed, our iconic swimming pool is now safe and our parks are no longer neglected and ignored.

"There is much more to do but I know the work to continue improving and developing our town is in good hands with Lynne."