More than a quarter of a century of service to Exeter by retiring MP Sir Ben Bradshaw is to be officially recognised.

City council leader Phil Bialyk (Labour, Exwick) said the former MP’s commitment to working for the city would be officially marked ‘in some way’.

Sir Ben did not stand in the general election last week, having chosen to step down after being Exeter’s Labour MP since 1997. 

His former assistant Steve Race stood in his place as Labour candidate and was elected with an increased majority.

Cllr Bialyk paid tribute to Sir Ben at a meeting of the city council’s executive committee. He also congratulated Mr Race, along with David Reed, the new Conservative MP for the Exmouth and Exeter East seat.

He said discussions with the local MPs could become “more pertinent” now that the government had changed from Conservative to Labour.

And, he added: “Ben Bradshaw has helped a lot of citizens and done a lot of good work for Exeter, regardless of political differences. He has been outspoken on Exeter’s behalf.

“It is important that we acknowledge what he has done.”