CIVIC leaders expressed concern at Sidmouth being ‘paired’ with Ottery St Mary as part of a county-wide Diamond Jubilee cash handout.

Town councillors heard last week how funding of �1 per elector is being made available to communities across Devon for celebratory projects in 2012.

An extra 10 pence is also being made available per elector from the district council.

Town council chairman Stuart Hughes told colleagues that Sidmouth would be paired with Ottery when the funding is handed out - but councillors wanted the Sid Valley to be looked at on its own.

“At this stage it looks as though Sidmouth could well be paired with Ottery,” said Cllr Hughes.