LONG-SERVING Dudley councillors Margaret Wilson and David Blood are among a raft of popular political characters saying farewell to the council chamber at the forthcoming local election.

Brierley Hill Labour councillor Margaret Wilson, Dudley's Mayor in 2002-2003, and Kingswinford South Conservative councillor David Blood, the borough's former cabinet member for finance, are among eight members of Dudley Council who will not be seeking re-election when voters go to the polls on Thursday May 5.

Also stepping down is popular Netherton, Woodside and St Andrew's ward councillor Will Duckworth, who seized victory for the Green Party in May 2012; long-serving Hayley Green and Cradley South councillor Hazel Turner, who left the Conservatives and joined UKIP before becoming an Independent; and Lye and Stourbridge North Labour councillor Tremaine Herbert.

While Pedmore and Stourbridge East councillor Mike Wood, who is also MP for Dudley South, stood down last month to concentrate on his Parliamentary duties.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of Dudley Council, paid tribute to each of the retiring members at Monday's full council meeting and the leader of Dudley Conservatives, councillor Patrick Harley, also praised the departing councillors for their "efforts and service".

Cllr Harley described cllr Wilson, who had held her seat in Brierley Hill since 1992, as "well-respected and loved by all sides" and added: "She's a loss to this chamber."

Brierley Hill councillor Rachel Harris said of her ward colleague: "Margaret has been an absolute stalwart of this council chamber for 24-plus years. I would rate her as being one of the first true community councillors. There isn't a day when somebody doesn't stop to ask me how is Margaret. She is an example of someone who plugged away day after day, year after year and the community of Brierley Hill will miss her being so active as a councillor."

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the council, said ill health had taken cllr Wilson away from the council chamber "far too soon" and he added: "She was an absolute asset to this authority."

He also praised political rival cllr Blood's contribution to the authority - saying: "David will be sorely missed. He's the perfect example of putting party politics aside to look after the interests of the whole borough."

Cllr Blood was first elected in 2003 and he was the man in charge of the borough's purse-strings as Dudley's cabinet member for finance from 2009 to 2012.

Tory group leader, cllr Harley, said: "He's been at the heart of a strong team in the Kingswinford South ward and played his part in the Conservatives taking control in 2004 - and made an impact in the cabinet.

"Whatever David does between now and and the end of his term - he was the cabinet member that introduced two zero council tax freezes; he's been an architect of zero based budgeting. The council has a lot to thank David for.

Councillor Michael Evans said: "He took Dudley from a two-star rated to a four-star rated authority. He will be sorely missed from this council - I wish him all the best."

Cllr Blood said: "It's been an honour to represent the people in Kingswinford South."

Wordsley Labour councillor Derrick Hemingsley will also not be seeking re-election - having been suspended from the Labour Party pending a police investigation.

Coseley Labour councillor Clem Baugh is also calling it a day.