The leader of Douglas Council has been praised for his ’devotion to public service’ as he attended his final public meeting last week ahead of the local authority elections.

David Christian, who was first elected in 1987, is not seeking re-election when voters head to the polls on Thursday (July 22).

The Mayor of Douglas, Jon Joughin, is also standing down as he plans to contest September’s House of Keys election. He paid tribute to Mr Christian’s 34 years in the council, saying he had ’devoted his entire adult life to public service.’

Mr Christian was elected to Douglas Borough Council in 1987 at the age of 21, representing the Hills ward. He became the borough’s youngest mayor at the age of 31 in 1996, and has served continuously as leader of the council since 2003.

Mr Joughin said of Mr Christian: ’Manx born, David is fiercely proud of the island and passionate about its capital, Douglas and, over the years, has been an outstanding ambassador for the island nationally and internationally.

’Indeed, it was that passion which drove him to lead the Douglas Town Centre Regeneration Scheme and I think it’s fair to say that without his enterprising leadership the scheme would never have progressed.

’His tenacity and ability to communicate his vision for a better future for Douglas and its people is legendary.’

A number of fellow members also offered their best wishes to the outgoing leader, before they rose to their feet to give Mr Christian a standing ovation.

Mr Christian has remained quiet about his intentions. There is speculatino that he might stand for MHK in the general election in September.

Thanks were also expressed to other departing councillors Betty Quirk, Helen Callow, Carol Crawley and Raina Chatel for work carried out during their time in office.

Councillor Callow ’enjoyed’ her five years as a local authority member but felt it was ’not appropriate to stand’ after moving out of the capital.

Meanwhile, Mrs Crawley said she ’didn’t come in to change the world or to make a name for myself’, adding she used her time to deliver value for the ratepayers and ’leave[s] with plenty of good memories.’

Having been on the council since 1999, Mrs Quirk said it had been an ’honour and a privilege to serve the people of Douglas.’

Polls open on Thursday, 22 July for voters in Douglas to elect a new council. Three members are to be elected from Douglas Central, North and East.

Steven Robert Crellin, Frank Scheungel and Claire Louise Wells will represent Douglas South for the next term, having been elected unopposed because nobody else stood.