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Three crucial developments within his constituency led Haverhill's MP Richard Spring to decide he could stand down from on his own terms and with a sense of achievement.

The dualling of the A11, recently announced, progress with the Brandon bypass and the significant recent improvements in Haverhill were all things he had wanted to see.

Haverhill's improvements have crowned what Mr Spring sees as a continuing change for the better in the town since he became its MP in 1997.

"In those days when I met people in the street they would complain to me the town was a dump," he said. "You just don't get that any more, and nothing has given me greater pleasure than to see that change."

Mr Spring, 63, who announced to his constituency yesterday that he would not be standing at the next general election, has no specific plans for the future.

A former businessman, he likes 'running things', and said he would be available to the Tories after the next election to run, for example, a quango or similar organisation, and he is also beginning work chairing a new foundation.

He said he will give whatever support his successor wanted. "Whoever gets this constituency will be a very lucky person," he said.

Mr Spring admitted MPs were not popular at present.

"This has been a difficult year for MPs - and quite rightly so after the appalling behaviour of some of my colleagues," he said. "But I have not been touched by that and I leave Parliament on my own tersm and while I am hugely enjoying the job."

Mr Spring has seen a considerable change in his level of support in Haverhill. When he took over in 1997 Conservative support in the town was at a low ebb, and there was not even a branch of the party in the town to work for him.

"I have always been prepared to work with everyone, of whatever political background," he said.

"It is true that Haverhill has changed politically, but that is partly because it has become more affluent."