WORKING flat out for nearly two years trying to turn Rossendale Council into a successful authority has taken its toll on Labour leader Graham Pearson. After the council was named the worst in the country it was up to him and his team to change the way it operated.

Reporter CHARLOTTE BRADSHAW spoke to the former mayor about the reasons behind his decision to take a back seat and his hopes for the authority's future.

GRAHAM Pearson openly admits that his time at the helm of Rossendale Council has been the most testing of his life.

But he says his reason for stepping down as leader and chairman of the council's corporate policy committee is simply to save his health and not political. He will remain a councillor in the Hareholme ward

Blaming the stress of spending more than 50 hours a week attending council meetings, he said council business had taken its toll since he had heart surgery in 1999.

The former Oldham-based primary school teacher retired from his full time career in 1999 after a heart-by pass operation.

And he said a recent visit to the doctor showed alarming blood pressure levels -- which led him to make one of the toughest decisions he has ever taken.

But he is proud of the hard work, he and the team, have put in to ensure Rossendale Council is no longer a target for a Whitehall takeover.

At 50 years of age, Graham, who lives alone in Newchurch, said working on council issues drove him to the ground.

He said: "When the authority was named as the worst performing authority in the country two years ago, that has got to be one of the lowest points of my time as leader or in fact time at the council.

"But we managed to come through that and have really started to turn things around, winning praise from the Audit Commission for doing so, so that has been satisfying."

His move echoes statistics revealed by the Home Office which show nurses and teachers suffer the highest levels of stress.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive, which has carried out research into stress, said: "Stress is thought to account for more than 13million lost working days a year and can result in heart disease, alcoholism and mental disorders.

"Some academics have argued that stress is an almost meaningless term and does not exist. However, a convincing body of research shows that there's a clear link between poor work organisation and subsequent ill health.

"A recent Home Office study found that one in five workers showed ''extremely high' stress and the highest rates of stress were found in nurses and teachers."

Coun Pearson was first elected in 1984 and served on the council for eight years, also serving as Rossendale Mayor.

It is thought Coun David Hancock, deputy leader of Rossendale Council will assume the leadership of the Labour Group with Coun Alyson Barnes taking the deputy role.

Coun Pearson added: "It had been my intention not to offer my name as leader of the Labour Group following the next council elections in June 2004, but because of health reasons I felt it would be appropriate for me to stand now before I made things any worse for myself."

The councillor said he still had high hopes for the Valley and wished the person who takes over his role every success.

He added: "Things are really looking up for Rossendale. We have some exciting developments going on and positive plans for the future so we have everything to look forward to. With the new Asda, the town centre redevelopment plans, the bus station plans, Futures Park and a number of other plans. It's all good."

An emergency meeting will be held tonight to appoint a new leader.

Alan Neal, Whitworth Mayor and Independent councillor said: "It's a shame that Graham has stood down, but I know as a councillor the time that goes into this job.

"I work nine hours a day and then do my council work on top so it takes its toll on everybody at some point. It's not clear yet who will assume the role as leader because it depends on how I and councillor Youngthe vote on the night."