A POPULAR former councillor and his wife will spend the next five years travelling around Europe in their trusty motorhome.

Will and Vicky Duckworth will bid farewell to their Netherton home on Monday as they begin their open road adventure.

The couple plan to visit all 28 EU countries and Will, who was head of maths at The Hillcrest School and Community College for more than 20 years, is looking forward to the freedom the journey will bring.

He said: "For the last 30 years I have had a campervan and gone off in the summer holidays and loved it.

"It was a horrible feeling knowing I'd need to be back for the start of term, I always thought wouldn't it be wonderful if I could just stay."

The 62-year-old, who became the first Green Party councillor to serve on Dudley Council after he was elected in the Netherton, Woodside and St Andrews ward in 2012, said he decided not to stand again in May's election so he could "retire properly" and set off on the trip, which they had spent years planning.

He said the highlight of his political career was helping people, adding: "The number of people that thanked me personally and were just so thankful for what I managed to get done for them was my highlight, whether that was finding them housing or getting them central heating or double glazing - the things that were desperately important to them. It's been a pleasure getting the wheels in motion and helping people in the area."

He said he would miss the people of Netherton most while he was away, adding: "And walking into Pardoes and having the barman start to pour the drinks before I have chance to say anything."

Vicky, aged 34, who has been an active member of the Friends of Netherton Park alongside her husband, said she was looking forward to broadening her horizons.

The former primary school teacher continued: "I'm looking forward to seeing new ways of doing things, trying new food, meeting new people and learning new languages. We decided to travel Europe as it was the most diverse and welcoming, with brilliant facilities for campervans."

Anyone who wishes to follow the couple's travels, can do so via their Facebook page VnW Travels.