AFTER six years working to keep Somerset's schools among the best in the country education director Michael Jennings has retired.

Changes to the national system and the stable position of the education authority meant Mr Jennings felt it was the perfect time to leave after 38 years in the service.

He said: "My retirement is timely since the Government is proposing changing the role of the local authority relating to children."

As Somerset's director of lifelong learning Mr Jennings guided the authority to gain a top three-star rating from the audit commission for school achievements and services.