THERE are just days left to nominate a new chairman for Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce.

THERE are just four days left to nominate a new chairman for Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce.

So far no names have been put forward.

Notifying members of its annual meeting on Tuesday, March 3, at which a new chairman must be elected, secretary Sylvia Brownlee emphasised the importance of finding a chairman and said: "As at today's date we have received no nominations."

She wants all nominations returned by Tuesday, February 24, a week before the annual meeting, which will be held at The Anchor Inn, from 6pm.

The Chamber has been looking for someone to replace former chairman Paul Duriez after he moved his business and family to Exmouth last November.

Since his departure president Derek Parry has been chairing meetings.

At an emergency general meeting last December, Mr Parry emphasised the need to have a new chairman elected by March, and offered to give them help and support.

Several people he has approached to put up for the role have indicated they are "too busy" to take on the position.

"We need someone not only to hold the organisation together, but also a new face every two years so that we have a steady flow of new ideas and different approaches to running the Chamber," states the organisation's minutes from its emergency meeting.

"The harder times get for trading, the more important it is that we have a properly functioning and well-run Chamber."

Guest speaker at this year's annual meeting, before the elections and other business to be discussed, is East Devon District Councillor Peter Halse from Honiton, who will talk about the East Devon economy and answer questions.