TEIGNMOUTH'S town clerk has come under fire for buying a pick-up truck without the approval of all councillors.

It provoked furious exchanges at a council meeting, with Cllr Terry Falcao describing it as 'absolutely outrageous'.

Dave Tickell told members on Tuesday that he had bought the five year-old truck for almost £9,000 to transport equipment needed for all kinds of events in the town. It could also pull a heavy trailer.

The contractor who had carried out jobs for the council had 'withdrawn his services' because of criticism from certain councillors, and Mr Tickell was no longer willing to use his own new car in case of damaging it.