CREDITON Town Council has co-opted two new councillors.

Guy Cochran of Blagdon Rise, Crediton, said: "I am very pleased to be volunteering and helping out as a newly co-opted Town Councillor for the St Lawrence ward.

"I have lived in and around Crediton for nearly 30 years and although not Devon born, I married a local retired farmer’s daughter, Fiona Nicholson.

"We initially lived in Fordton, moved out to Yeoford for 19 years, then recently returned to Crediton in 2017.

"We have three grown-up children, one granddaughter (currently) and two Jack Russell’s.

"As a retired police officer, I know only too well the importance of a sense of togetherness, neighbourhood and community, that we all need to be prepared to step out and help each other, not only in these difficult times, but also in the future.

"I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can, whether you are a volunteer in many of the inspiring local projects, or one of the equally important members, living in our local friendly community town of Crediton.”

Steve Huxtable of Exeter Road, Crediton, has also been co-opted as a councillor for the St Lawrence ward.

Steve said: "I am new to the town, having moved here in March last year, a week before the first lockdown.

"I moved here with my wife Tina, and our Irish Water Spaniel, Digby.

"We have one daughter and she is living and working in Sydney.

"In the period of the varying states of lockdown I have been impressed with the town and its residents - there is a feeling of warmth and friendliness which is brilliant to come face-to-face with, as circumstances permit.

"In the past I have volunteered at the local hospital and had several years’ service in the Special Constabulary, so doing work in the community has been there from a relatively early age and I see this as an opportunity to develop this interest in working with you, and understanding your needs and desires to see if we can make Crediton an even better place to live.

"I played a fair bit of sport when younger, all of this currently has moved to being a spectator, which has its advantages!

"I am out each day taking Digby for a walk, we’ll both be pleased to say hello. By way of what interests me in the role I would like to help make Crediton a safer place to live and work, with good, well maintained amenities, but at present am getting up to speed with all of the current plans and how everything knits together.”