It is the end of an era for the district’s longest serving mayor and his deputy, who have stepped down after more than a decade.

Councillors Glyn Dobson and Ian Holmes left the roles on Ottery Town Council last week after first being appointed in May 2007 and January 2008 respectively.

Councillor Dobson has chaired 150 meetings as mayor, attended events in twin town Pont L’Eveque, seen the creation of the skate park and helped organise celebrations in the town and the annual Christmas lunch.

He said among his proudest moments were the purchasing of the land for the Coleridge Bridge and the opening of the town’s library and toilets. Cllr Dobson said: “I think what you have to remember is you represent the public and you have to do the best you can. Whatever you can do it is for the public, you are doing it for the people that voted you in. I love the town and it’s your way of putting something back into it that is going to benefit everyone.

“The council is a lot better off now than it was then.”

Cllr Holmes said it was time for fresh eyes to take over, but added that the duo will continue to offer support on property matters through the planning committee.

During their time in office, the pair have seen the purchase of a number of community assets, including the allotments, the old NatWest bank for the creation of the library and toilets, and The Station, which is now home to the town’s youth club, help scheme and men’s shed.

Further projects included working with the heritage society on its project to create a museum and heritage centre in the old town hall and developing Strawberry Lane recreation ground to house the petanque club.

Cllr Holmes, who is the planning committee chairman, said: “We did everything we could to make Ottery a better place and it’s time really to take a step back.”

They were succeeded by Cllr Paul Bartlett and Cllr Josefina Gori as mayor and deputy mayor.

The incoming pair praised their predecessors for the great legacy they left behind.

Cllr Gori said: “I am sure we all agree that they both deserve a big thank you for their dedication, all the time and the hard work they put in through the years they served at the council, and for what they both achieved with the support of their colleagues.”