WILTSHIRE County Council's environment chief, Richard Lander, has retired after more than 25 years.

Mr Lander, who left the council at the end of March, is returning to his roots in Cornwall where he will study for a degree in Cornish studies at the University of Cornwall.

Mr Lander joined the county council in 1975 as a valuation surveyor.

He was appointed assistant director of property services in 1987 and then director in 1991.

When a new environmental services department was created in 1996, covering highways, property, planning, public health, trading standards and economic development, he became its first director.

His successor is George Batten, who has moved up from his post as assistant director.

Mr Batten first worked for the county council from 1979 until 1985, but returned to the county in 1987 as chief engineer.

Mr Batten said: "It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with Richard Lander.

"He is the best boss I have worked with and will be missed by everyone at the county council.

"I am now looking forward to the challenge of my new role and will inherit from him a department that is performing to very high standards.

"The key challenge for the future will be to continue to balance the need to preserve Wiltshire's natural environment and its unique heritage with the need for economic development."