IT was a vote for more of the same at Teignmouth Town Council, despite its own chairman declaring 'that it has not been an easy year,' Cllr Geoff Bladon took the chain for a second term as mayor.

Cllr Bladon was the only name put forward for the position at the annual council meeting on Tuesday. He was nominated by Cllr Vince Fusco, for 'showing how things should be done.' The move was seconded by Cllr Fred Tooley.

It was a vote for the status quo elsewhere as Cllr David Weekes remained deputy mayor, Cllr Fred Tooley stayed as chairman of the finance and general purposes committee and Cllr Sylvia Russell stays as vice-chairman of that committee. No other names were put forward for the roles.

Cllr Bladon said: 'It has not been an easy year by any means but we have managed to do some good for the town, 'To be re-elected is a great honour for me and I intend to take it to its fullest heights this year,' he said.

Cllr Bladon follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Frederick Bladon, who was mayor in 1947-8, and his father Arthur Bladon, mayor in 1965-9 and 1977-8.

He cited his work with his mayoral charity, Action for Blind People and the kind support of his wife Linda, Bitton House staff, fellow councillors and the public as highlights of his term. Two councillors were criticised for leaving before the start of the annual parish meeting, the most important of the year for the public.

Cllrs Roy Phillips and Chris Whitlock left after just 20 minutes of the mayor making ceremony. Teignmouth resident Fiona Wells, who attends the fortnightly meetings, said she was 'outraged,' that an elected councillor should leave a meeting that he has a duty to attend. 'If a person is elected to represent his parishioners then the least he should do is stay to hear our questions,' she said.

Cllr Fred Tooley said he was disgusted 'that two councillors should disappear.' And mayor Cllr Bladon said that some councillors had trouble 'understanding democracy.' Cllr Whitlock had 'no comment' when approached later by the Post. Cllr Phillips could not be contacted.