THE new chairman and deputy of Sidmouth Town Council's tourism committee took up their duties after being formally elected on Monday. Councillor Chris Gibbings proposed Councillor Simon Pollentine as new chairman, saying: He has been deputy for probably

THE new chairman and deputy of Sidmouth Town Council's tourism committee took up their duties after being formally elected on Monday.Councillor Chris Gibbings proposed Councillor Simon Pollentine as new chairman, saying: "He has been deputy for probably longer than I can remember."He praised Councillor Stuart Hughes in his absence for his work as chairman, saying: "He has done an astoundingly good job."Councillor John Hollick was voted in as vice-chairman by Councillor Graham Liverton.Thanking councillors for their support, Mr Pollentine, who was elected unopposed, told the meeting: "I wouldn't want to take on this role without paying tribute to Stuart. He did it in his inimitable fashion. I will do it in a different fashion."The job of this committee is to do the most and best we can for the tourism industry in the town and shout about it.