SIR Nicholas Winterton has called time on a 38-year Parliamentary career after announcing he will step down as Macclesfield’s MP at the next general election.

In a letter to Conservative leader David Cameron on Monday, May 25, the Tory stalwart said he and wife and Congleton MP, Lady Ann, could no longer maintain the "hectic pace" of modern political life.

No mention was made of the latest expenses controversy dogging the pair over a £11,400 food claim and £1,100 on items including a toilet brush holder.

It is the end of a political era in Macclesfield, which Sir Nick has represented - often colourfully - since his election at the third attempt in 1971. He is the tenth longest serving MP currently sitting - putting him in a select group of parliamentary stalwarts including John Prescott and Ken Clarke - and had been reselected in 2007 as Macclesfield’s Conservative candidate at the next election.

The grandfather-of-eight, who is 71, was in Devon with his family this week and and unavailable for comment, after choosing a bank holiday to announce the shock news.

Macclesfield Conservative Association was quick to deny Sir Nick was pushed - either by its members or the Tory leadership.

Association chairman David Freear said: "I don't think he was pushed at all. There was no pressure from within the association or central office. His eighth grandchild has just been christened and he wants to spend more time with his family."

Speaking on Friday, Shadow chancellor and neighbouring Tatton MP George Osborne declined to criticise Sir Nick, calling him a "very good MP".

But the Wintertons' expenses are currently being scrutinised with those of other Tory MPs and Sir Nick said last week he had no intention of paying any money back.

The couple’s reputation suffered last year when the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards judged they had broken MP rules by renting a London flat through a trust in their children’s name.

Afterwards, Sir Nick, who for many years represented Alderley Edge as part of the Macclesfield constituency, told the Express he believed a mafia of advisers around the Conservative leader were out to get him.

He said: "In some quarters there is a group of people who want to see the back of me and Ann. They may well be David Cameron’s sort of mafia that you get around a leader."

The Wintertons will continue as MPs until an election is held - potentially still 12 months away.

Issues for which he has shown great interest down the years include Zimbabwe and Northern Ireland. But it is for an interest in Macclesfield charities and good causes such as East Cheshire Hospice and the NSPCC that he has most been associated.

He has also long been a staunch supporter of numerous disability and youth groups including The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

Councillor Frank Keegan, deputy Cheshire East Council leader, said: "He has been MP for a long time and has done a terrific amount of service for the Macclesfield area.

"It is probably right that time catches up with you and that he perhaps finds it hard to keep up with the pace."