Councillor Glyn Dobson, Mayor of Ottery, also used his message to thank all who have supported him as he intends to stand down from the post in 2018.

The Mayor of Ottery has used his New Year message to wish residents a prosperous 2018 as he prepares to stand down after 11 years in the post.

Councillor Glyn Dobson said it has been a ‘tremendous privilege’ to hold the title, and that he intends to remain on the council after he steps down in May.

Cllr Dobson said: “It has been a tremendous privilege to head up the council in the town in which I have lived all my married life and where I have raised my children.

“Of course you cannot serve 11 years without support, first of all, from my wife Gay, who has been by my side backing me in all I have undertaken, and Cllr Ian Holmes, who has been my deputy for nearly all this time.

“I am grateful to all the members of the public that have given their support for the various activities I’ve organised, and the councillors who have supported me.

“It has been an exciting and rewarding 11 years and, although I will remain a councillor, it is my intention to spend more time with my family, which is increasing in numbers all the time.

“It just remains for me to say thank you to you all for your support and I wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.”

Cllr Dobson recalled a number of projects he had been involved with over his time in post, including the installation of the Coleridge Bridge.

He said: “It had been discussed for around 15 years and had still not been delivered.

“A meeting was arranged with Lord Coleridge and, together with the town clerk, Judith Reynolds, we sat down and discussed the issues.

“Within 15 minutes of arriving back in the office, Lord Coleridge telephoned to say we could use part of his land for the bridge to be built.

“It was built within two years and now provides a popular walk into town for King’s School pupils and many members of the public.”

Cllr Dobson has also been involved in projects including restoring the Jubilee monument, transferring the old town hall into the ownership of the council and recently the purchase of the old NatWest bank to turn into a new library and toilets.