OTTERY S mayor has paid tribute to town representatives and staff- labelling their dedication a credit to the parish .

OTTERY'S mayor has paid tribute to town representatives and staff- labelling their dedication "a credit to the parish".

In his annual report, Councillor Glyn Dobson said a new sports facility for land at Strawberry Lane and a long-awaited footpath and cycleway bid are projects civic leaders will look to complete in the next 12 months.

Cllr Dobson praised increasing use of the town's Broad Street council offices, saying the more accessible premises meant a better service for residents.

He added letting offices in the building "has gone a long way" to meeting loan repayments from its purchase.

Mr Dobson hailed Phyllis Baxter at Ottery's Tourist Information centre after it welcomed 1,200 visitors over the year- 70per cent of whom were local residents.

"This proves what a useful facility this is for local people," said the mayor.

Reflecting on the last year he added: "I realise what a tremendous amount of hard work has been put in by all at the town council" and thanked councillors and the town clerk and deputy clerk. "Without their hard work and support I would find the position of mayor impossible," he said. "Being a councillor gets increasingly more difficult and time consuming each year."

Mr Dobson also praised town council planning committee chair Pete Williams after an "exceptionally busy" year of developments.

Of 125 decisions made by East Devon District Council planning chiefs, only eight failed to agree with the town council's recommendations.