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A long-serving former Aberdeen City Council leader has announced he is stepping down from the local authority after 35 years as a councillor.

, the Labour councillor for Kingswells, Sheddocksley and Summerhill, led the council for four years, from 1999 to 2003, and .

He will stand down at next year's council elections.

Mr Ironside said it was time for someone new.

He told ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland: "It's been a huge part of my life and I have enjoyed it, even the difficult bits - it's been a battle sometimes.

"I respect what the public say and I think I have done my best to serve the public of Aberdeen.

"But now it's time to move on and some new people to take on the challenge."