No gong as voters’ choice lives outside parish

THE person who Ottery residents voted as their Citizen of the Year will not be awarded the honour – because they don’t live in the parish.

Mayor Glyn Dobson said rules prohibited the individual in question, who netted the most support in a public poll, from formally receiving the accolade.

It will instead go to nominees with the second highest number of votes.

The identity of the Citizen of the Year winner - traditionally honoured for their work in the community - will be kept secret until the town council’s annual parish meeting on April 24.

Councillor Dobson told colleagues at a meeting on Monday that around 100 people had voted and there were 12 nominees.

He said two people, eligible for the honour, had tied with the most votes but added: “The person from outside the parish had more votes than both of them. This person will be recognised, but the rules are they must live inside the parish.”