OKEHAMPTON Town Council co-opted a new councillor on Monday, Mr Richard Boyce.

Mr Boyce was chosen from three applicants following a long discussion between councillors at a special council meeting over who was the best choice for the position.

In the past there have been difficulties attracting applications for the town council, with the council reaching out to the community in recent months to attract applications to fill the empty seat. With three applications for one seat, the situation had been reversed.

Cllr Terry Cummings said: 'The difficulty is that we have three strong applications now, where before, we had none.'

Mayor Maureen McDonald said: 'There are three strong candidates to choose from, and barely an inch between them.

'It is a decision we need to consider carefully.'

After a lengthy discussion and ballot, councillors agreed to co-opt Mr Boyce to the council.

There will now be a full compliment of 14 councillors for the first time since the elections in May 2011.

For further details on the workings of the council, visit http://www.okehampton.gov.uk">www.okehampton.gov.uk