DAWLISH Liberal Democrat councillor Rosie Dawson will chair Devon County Council for the next year.

Cllr Dawson, who served as vice-chair last year, was voted into the top job at a full meeting of the authority.

She said: ‘It is an absolute honour, coming on the 30th anniversary of me moving to Devon.’

She said she would be focusing on a theme of celebrating Devon’s communities.

Proposing her for the role, Cllr Julian Brazil said: ‘She has been an outstanding and distinguished vice-chair.’

Cllr Dawson received 34 votes in the election for the role of chairman.

Cllr Tony Dempster (Reform, Kingsteignton and Teign Estuary) got 17 votes while Cllr Edward Hill received three.

Vice-chairman for the coming year will be Cllr Syed Jusef (Lib Dem, Barnstaple North), who received 34 votes.