A BURY man who scaled the heights in his chosen profession has retired from his top job with Rochdale Council.

Mr David Willis (59), had been head of the local authority's building control department. He had held the important post for the last eight and a half years.

In his role, he was in charge of a 10-strong staff of professional surveyors and prior to being made the head he had worked as an area surveyor.

Mr Willis, who has taken early retirement on health grounds, is Bury born and bred and lives in the town's Springside View.

Married with one daughter, he is a former pupil of St Gabriel's RC High School. Later, he studied for 15 years to achieve his professional qualifications.

Prior to joining Rochdale Council 26 years ago, he had worked in building control in a number of capacities with local authoritIes in Manchester, Bolton and Bury.

A chartered surveyor and corporate building engineer, he is a recipient of a long service award from Rochdale Council to mark his 26 years with the authority.

Commenting on his retirement, Mr Willis said: "I now want to really take up my hobbies of walking and collecting antiques and spending more time with my grandchildren."