A TEIGNMOUTH trader is so pleased with the town council, he donated free sandwiches to an official reception.

The mayor, Cllr David Cox, hosted a group of stroke victims and their carers in his parlour at Bitton House.

Boccadillos, the cafe and take-away in the Triangle, supplied the 50 snacks, but when town clerk Dave Tickell called in to pay the bill, boss Martin Thompson told him: 'No charge – it's on us, a thank you for all the town council has done to improve the town.'

A delighted Mr Tickell declared: 'What a wonderful gesture and lovely community spirit. We don't often get a lot of praise, so it's pleasing to know that our efforts are appreciated.'

Mr Thompson added: 'It was the least we could do. I am in the Triangle all day, and see just how hard the council tries to brighten things up, especially with the Christmas lights.'

The party of nearly 50 people from Cheshire were taking up the mayor on an offer 'to pop in anytime', he made to them when they visited Teignmouth in the summer.

'I was chatting to them during the kids' day out on the pier, and they said they liked the town very much. I offered them a conducted tour of Bitton House if they came back, and they took me up on the offer.

'We were more than happy to offer some Teignmouth hospitality to the party, and we all had a good time.'

Mr Tickell gave a potted history of the resort, and the close connection with Bitton House to Admiral Pellew, who the main character in the Captain Hornblower novels was based on.

One of the guests said: 'We never expected such a warm welcome. The mayor was as good as his word, and we will definitely be back.'