The Mayor of Axminster has congratulated the town's county councillor, Ian Hall, on being elected chair of Devon County Council.

Cllr Hall, who represents Axminster at both district and county level as a Conservative, was unanimously elected chair of the county council last week.

Cllr Hall said he was proud and humbled to be elected. In his acceptance speech he spoke about about his 31 years of service to the community had stemmed from a passion for sport and how it can help to change young lives. 

The Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, said: "Axminster Town Council was delighted to learn that Councillor Ian Hall has been asked to be chair of Devon County Council for the next civic year.

"Councillor Hall has spent many years working to support Axminster in all of the public roles he has undertaken and the town owes him a debt of gratitude.

"We wish him well as he takes up this important new position."