The long-serving boss of a charity which helps promote and co-ordinate Norfolk's thousands of volunteers has announced he is stepping down.

Alan Hopley has been the chief executive of Voluntary Norfolk, based in Colegate in Norwich, for nine years, but will retire at the end of May.

Mr Hopley said: "I feel very privileged to have spent the last nine years with Voluntary Norfolk and retain that passion that drives so many of us to try and tackle the inequalities we witness too often.

"I know it inspires us all to make Norfolk a better place to live for everyone.

"Voluntary Norfolk is in great shape, with a fabulous team of staff, volunteers and trustees and so now is a good time to leave and start some new adventures of my own, including volunteering at home and abroad.

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"Whoever is the fortunate person to replace me will be taking on a challenging but hugely rewarding position and will, I am sure, continue to achieve so much with such support in place and opportunities ahead."

Before he joined Voluntary Norfolk, Mr Hopley worked for the drug and alcohol charity Addaction and before that he worked for the Youth Hostel Association.