COUNCILLOR Sheila Brooke has been re-elected as the Mayor of Bovey Tracey and Heathfield for a seventh consecutive term

Cllr Ulli Arnold was appointed as Cllr Brooke’s deputy, taking over from Cllr Martin Evans.

Both were voted in by members at Bovey Tracey Town Council’s annual mayor making meeting on Wednesday, May 6

Paying tribute to his predecessor, Cllr Arnold said it had been ‘a tough old year’ and added: ‘I hope I can follow in your footsteps.’

Cllr Brooke said the coming twelve months could also be tough, not least because of the uncertain challenges presented by the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation.

Looking on the bright side she said: ‘Let’s make it a sunny year.’

Paying tribute to the entire administration was Paul Beecher, Chairman of the Bovey Tracey Residents Association.

He told members that he’d been attending their meetings for 20 years and said: ‘The council we have now is excellent.

‘The current council listens and tries to act.’