Tributes have been paid to a Skipton councillor for her 25 years’ service to the town.

After a quarter of a century of unbroken service on the town council, Coun Betty Campbell has decided to take more of a back seat.

Although she will remain on the council, she has stood down as chairman of planning after 24 years. She will, however, remain as vice-chairman of planning, alongside Coun Audrey Thornton.

Over the years, Coun Campbell has headed the committee responsible for comments on important planning issues for the town and no longer being involved will be a wrench.

“I’m a real nosy parker and I like to know what is going on in the town,” she said. “We are a statutory consultee and it’s very important that the planning authority gets comments from the roots.”

She has always represented Skipton East ward and at the last elections received the most amount of votes of any councillor. She has also twice been mayor – in 1988/89 and in 1992/93.

A former teacher, Coun Campbell spent 30 years at Aireville School, Skipton, where she taught English and physical education.

“I meet my old pupils all the time in Skipton and it’s always nice to speak to them. There are only a few that I don’t want to talk to,” she said.

At the council’s annual general meeting, Coun Campbell was honoured for her 25 years’ service. Mayor Coun Robert Heseltine said she was the perfect example for all councillors.

“Betty Campbell optimises all that is best in public service,” he said. “She is totally committed to education and throughout her long career helped thousands of young people through their adolescent years.”

He said she had devoted much of her time to voluntary and charitable organisations.

“Her quiet manner, subtle humour and dedication to her duties is the finest of templates for us all,” said Coun Heseltine.

And Coun Paul English, council leader, said to serve 25 consecutive years on a local council was a “wonderful achievement”.

“When you add to this 24 years as chairman of the planning committee, it shows an amazing dedication to the people of Skipton,” he said.

“Betty’s tremendous knowledge of the town is a great asset to the council and I would like to offer my personal congratulations to Betty on reaching her quarter century of public service.”