Bovey Tracey candidate Cllr David Elphick, is the only independent up for nomination for a district council seat from the Bovey Tracey ward. He's hopeful he'll be elected. Cllr Elphick said it is the second time he has stood in ten years and narrowly missed a seat ten years ago. Three seats are available to represent the town. 'I'm the only independent candidate in the ward and there are 12 candidates,' he said shortly after the count began.

'Three are Conservatives, three Liberal Democracts, three Labour along with one from UKIP and one from the Green Party. 'I'm quite optimistic about today. As I'm independent I don't see myself as political. I'm all for representing local issues and local feeling.'