WINCHESTER City Council is to lose 16 members at the upcoming election.

The council bid farewell to some of its longstanding members, recognising each one at the latest full council meeting.

Councillors have decided not to stand for re-election in the May all out election.

It is among the highest number of retiring councillors ever on the authority.

Senior councillors paid tribute to the work they had done and experience they had brought to the council.

Each was given a commemorative certificate by Mayor Cllr Angela Clear.

Councillors leaving are for the Conservatives Cllr Norma Bodtger, who served from 2011, Cllr Caroline Dibden, since 2014, Cllr Kirk Phillips, since 2010, Cllr Mike Southgate, since 2012, Cllr Helen Osborne, since 2014, Cllr Jonathan Scowen, since last year, Cllr Tom Ruffell, since last year, Cllr Robert Sanders, since 2008, Cllr Malcolm Wright, since 2003 and former Mayor of Winchester Cllr Barry Lipscomb, since 2002.

Liberal Democrats leaving Cllr Patrick Fancett, who served since 2014, Cllr Peter Kent Mason, who served 1994 to 1998, 1999 to 2003, 2008 to now, Cllr Simon Cook, since 2002, Cllr James Maynard, since 2000, Cllr Sam Newman-McKiel, since 2011, and Cllr Rose Prowse, since 2010.