WORCESTER'S MP has paid his own special tribute to the departing city council boss - saying he will leave "big shoes to fill".

Robin Walker said Duncan Sharkey, who is leaving as the council's managing director in May, deserves praise for steering the authority through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history.

As your Worcester News revealed yesterday, the 43-year-old is stepping down after five years in the city to take on a senior director's role at Milton Keynes Council.

During his time he has had to negotiate two political switches to the council's administration, firstly from the Conservatives to Labour in 2013 in a shock coup with Lib Dem and Green backing, and then back to the Tories last year when the party secured the support of newly-independent Councillor Alan Amos.

Mr Walker said: "He's served this city under the leadership of different colours and actually done that very well indeed.

"It really is a mark of a very good managing director to have been able to do that, and do it as well as he has - and there's no doubt he will leave big shoes to fill.

"I think he's been excellent for Worcester."

His decision to leave has also led to tributes from the smaller parties in Worcester, following on from the Conservative and Labour groups.

Lone Green Councillor Neil Laurenson said: "It's a shock as I had no idea this was coming.

"But I understand everyone wants to move on in their career and personally he has always been a gentleman.

"I always found him very responsive, he was always up for speaking to me either on email or by phone and I'm pleased we've had him in Worcester."

Veteran Lib Dem Councillor Liz Smith said: "I am sad, he'd been a very good managing director, he bought new ideas, new ways of working and a much flatter management structure.

"He's done a very good job indeed and I wish him very well."

The city council will start a hunt to fill the looming vacancy in the £105,824-a-year role soon, but Mr Sharkey will stay on until the election aftermath at the end of May.

Mr Sharkey, a University of Bristol graduate, joined the city council in 2010 after a spell as chief executive at West Lindsey District Council.