Newton Abbot Carnival Committee has thanked long serving officers who have stood down from organising the town’s big parade.

At the carnival annual meeting they took the opportunity of presenting certificates of appreciation to outgoing chairman Michael Ryan and his wife, Lin, and deputy chair the Newton Abbot Mayor Cllr Carol Bunndy and Cllr Mike Hocking who are also stepping down from the carnival committee.

Newton Abbot town council clerk, Mr Phil Rowe, joined the meeting and said a few words of thanks for their many years of commitment, time and hard work to keep the carnival alive in the town.

Phil presented them with certificates and gifts which were gratefully received and we were delighted we managed to surprise them with this presentation,’ said Katherine Stocker who is the carnival Facebook page admin.