HAYTOR WARD

ADRIAN PATCH (IND) 376

ROBERT STEEMSON 321

JEREMY CHRISTOPHERS (CON) 222

PHILIP CUNNINGHAM (LAB) 57

JESSICA HODGE (IND) 27

CONSERVATIVE leader Jeremy Christophers made a quick exit from the count hall after discovering he’d lost his top job.

Independent member Adrian Patch scooped 376 votes with second place going to Rob Steemson on 321 votes and Mr Christophers coming third with 222.

Mr Patch said: ‘It’s a bit strange but I’m very happy. It’s been a strange campaign and I raised my eyebrows when so many Independents added their names to the campaign.

‘I’ve been serving on the parish council for four years. I don’t want to make it personal about Jeremy, I’m just looking forward to getting stuck into the job as a district councillor now.’Mr Christophers didn’t answer his phone when called by the Mid-Devon Advertiser after his swift departure.