DEVON County Council has announced its new Chairman for the next year.

Outgoing Chairman Councillor Bernard Hughes OBE handed over to the Council's new Chairman, Councillor George Gribble at a meeting of the Full Council this week.

Councillor George John Gribble is local member representing Bovey Tracey Rural, the town in which he was born and has lived all his life, serving on many of the County Council's Committees.

The seven times Mayor of Bovey Tracey, Cllr Gribble also sits on Teignbridge District Council, and still sits on the Bovey Tracey Town Council where he has been since 1973.

His other appointments have included among others Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority; Dartmoor National Park Authority; and Devon Association of Local Councils.

George is a keen cricket supporter and Executive Committee Member of the Devon County Cricket Club. He thanked Councillors at the meeting for his new appointment.

He said: "I am enormously proud to have been asked to be Chairman of Devon County Council. It is a privilege for which I feel extremely honoured and gratefully accept."

Seaton Coastal member, Cllr Jim Knight has replaced Cllr Caroline Chugg as vice chairman.