A PERFORMANCE artist and playwright has won a role as a Buckfastleigh town councillor.

Mother-of-two Fanny Jackson narrowly won the three-cornered fight for a town hall seat after the resignation of former mayor Cllr Katie Coates for personal reasons.

The independent candidate secured 132 votes in Thursday’s contest, just two more than nearest rival Darren James, who described himself as a Local Independent.

Pamela Greenhill, also an independent, polled 83 votes.

The turn-out was 12 per cent.

The new recruit, in her pre-election address, felt there was a need for better communication between the people and its council.