AN association which helps council tenants is losing one of is most faithful servants.

After six years of volunteering for the Herefordshire Tenants' Federation, Eric Jones has decided to take a well-earned rest.

Eric - who was secretary of the Federation for the past few years and was one of the founding tenants when the organisation was set up in 1999 - announced his decision at the annual meeting, which was chaired by his wife, Wendy.

Nigel Howells has been elected to succeed Mr Jones.

"Time goes by so fast," Mrs Jones told the meeting. "I can hardly believe that we have dealt with over 1,000 tenant enquiries and management issues over the last year."

At the meeting, she thanked everyone for their support over the last twelve months.

The meeting was attended by Richard Hancock, a representative of Hereford Housing, and special mention was made of its role.

Mrs Jones said: "Hereford Housing has continued to support us and we look forward to working closely with them in the future."

Officers for the committee were formally elected. Mrs Jones and Eva Burton was re-elected as chairman and vice-chairman respectively.