The community spirit of Axminster was celebrated at the town's annual parish meeting on Monday night.

The theme of the meeting – attended by about 40 members of the public – was community spirit, with representatives from a number of local voluntary organisations invited to speak after the formal business of the night.

Those speaking included Mary Darlow from Axminster Guildhall, Sarah Shepley from Axminster Health & Wellbeing, Dr James Vann from Axminster Care Service, Karen Taylor from Nourish, the Reverend Kay D'Albertanson from Pippins Community Centre, Martin King of the Rotary Club of Axminster, Kay Pike of Plastic Free Axminster, Beverley Love of Axminster Lions, Simon Smith from the Community Waffle House, and Jane Rockett of the newly-relaunched Axminster Chamber of Commerce and Totally Locally.

Each gave an update of the activities of their organisation over the past year, with many emphasising the importance of the town working together and looking after one another.

There were also reports from the Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, district councillors Andrew Moulding and Sarah Jackson, and deputy mayor Andrea Sedgewick on the progress of Axminster's Neighbourhood Plan.

Full reports from councillors are available on the Axminster Town Council website.

Major announcements on the night included the start date for the Axminster's long-awaited new skatepark and the appointment of Paul Hayward as the new permanent town clerk.

Cllr Farrow rounded off the meeting, saying: "I think it's heartwarming to know how many volunteers in Axminster are doing so much for others in this vibrant community.

"We are a very small town, but so many of you are giving up so much of your time on an unpaid basis to support those less fortunate than we are.

"It's an honour to live here… it's such a joy on a daily and weekly basis to be involved in the activities of this fabulous town. We have so much going on over the next year, which is going to put us on the map even more."