Only 48 residents responded to a public vote to choose a new gym for Stowford on Saturday.

The district council’s community engagement officer said: “Although the councillors manning the voting stall did a great job it was probably the fault of the very inclement weather on the day that they only got 48 voting forms back.

“For a town the size of Sidmouth this isn’t really enough to announce a decision on the final design.

“We’ll be working with the town council to arrange a further voting opportunity to allow more people to get involved.”