RETIRED Lifton farmer Cllr Donald Horn has been elected mayor of West Devon for the forthcoming year.

Cllr Horn, who represents the Thrushel ward, joined the council four years ago. At the council's annual meeting in Tavistock on Tuesday he told councillors: 'This is a great honour for me.'

Cllr Horn's mayoress will be his wife Mary and the deputy mayor is Cllr Robin Musgrave.

Tributes were paid to outgoing Mayor Cllr John Hockridge who has been a West Devon Borough councillor for more than 28 years.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'John has carried out his duties over the last twelve months with grace, humour and courtesy. He and his wife Margaret have been wonderful ambassadors for West Devon.'

Cllr James McInnes was elected as leader of the council with Cllr Philip Sanders as deputy leader.

The council also appointed new chairmen and vice-chairmen to its committees.

The audit committee will be chaired by Cllr Debo Sellis, and the environment and community committee chairman is Cllr Robert Oxborough. Chairman of the future planning and housing committee is Cllr Mandy Govier, the overview and scrutiny committee chairman is Cllr David Cloke and the planning and licensing committee chairman is Cllr Christine Marsh. The standards committee will be chaired by Mrs Victoria Spence and the strategies and resources committee chairman is Cllr Philip Sanders.