OPPORTUNITIES for young people will be placed centre stage over the next year by the new Mayor of West Devon, Cllr David Cloke, who was elected to the post last week.

Cllr Cloke, who represents Burrator, is a keen supporter of young people and hopes his role as mayor of the borough will help to expand the range of roles that young people can take on in West Devon.

Cllr Cloke said: 'The enthusiasm of young people never fails to amaze me. They have such a varied set of skills and I hope to encourage the development of more opportunities for them during my year in office.'

The new mayor paid tribute to his predecessor, Cllr Christine Marsh, adding: 'Her fundraising has been truly terrific and together with her mayoress, she raised a staggering amount of money for good causes.'

Cllr Cloke started his working life as an apprentice engine fitter and turner at HM Dockyard Devonport. He then spent some time in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and worked in both agricultural engineering and car mechanics before taking on different roles at HMP Dartmoor.

Prior to serving as a borough councillor, Cllr Cloke was a long-standing member of the Horrabridge Parish Council, serving the community for 16 years from 1992. For six of those years, he acted as chairman of the council.

He was first elected to West Devon Borough Council for Walkham ward in 2007 and was re-elected to the post in 2011.

He has also been involved with several village organisations, including: the youth club, the recreation field trust, acting as a school governor and chairing the Horrabridge Twinning Association.

Cllr Cloke's chosen charities will be the Alzheimer's Society and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

His wife, Mrs Jacqueline Cloke, will be his mayoress.

Tributes were paid to outgoing mayor Christine Marsh and her mayoress Cllr Caroline Mott.

Cllr Robert Sampson said: 'Christine and Okehampton have become synonymous and during her time as mayor she has become synonymous with West Devon as the first citizen of the wider West Devon community.

'Her charitable efforts have been outstanding, raising both money and the profile of the charities, as well as the role of the Mayor of West Devon.'

Cllr John Sheldon was elected as deputy mayor. Cllr Philip Sanders was re-elected as the leader of the council with Cllr Bob Baldwin re-elected as deputy leader.