Councillor becomes mayor after 17 years of service

Councillor Debo Sellis, left, is taking over from Councillor Debo Sellis as mayor of west Devon

A councillor who has served for 17 years has been elected as the mayor of west Devon.

Councillor Debo Sellis, who has served as town, borough and county councillor for 17 years, said it was a "great honour" to take the job at West Devon Borough Council.

Ms Ellis takes over from the previous mayor Councillor Lynn Daniels.

The former critical care nurse said she entered local politics to help people and there was "a lot of work to do".

She said her work with the scouts and Brownies had shaped her.

"The laws of the Scout movement still make me what I am today," she said.

"The simple promise – that I promise I will do my best to serve other people – is one I still do now."

'Key player'

Councillor Mandy Ewings said Ms Sellis had "waited a long time for something like this", believing she would do "an admirable job for west Devon".

Councillor Neil Jory said Ms Sellis was a "key player" in a campaign to stop Devon County Council introducing parking meters in Tavistock and other towns.

The council is made up of 20 members of the West Devon Alliance, which consists of Independent, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green councillors, and 11 Conservatives.