A former Budleigh Salterton district councillor has received a special award for his service to the community.

Ray Franklin, 64, served the town as a councillor for 20 years before stepping down in May, including 15 years as the council’s lead member for planning.

He has been named an honorary alderman of East Devon in recognition of long and eminent service given to East Devon District Council, local government and the community.

The award presentation took place at the council headquarters, when Ray received his scroll and medal alongside seven other former councillors, including former council leader Sara Randall Johnson.

Ray said: “It is a great honour to receive this award.

“I’m very fortunate because everything seems to have come together for me in the last year, with the start of Cranbrook, Exeter Skypark, Exeter Science Park and the bridge over the M5, which are things I’ve been working on for 15 years.

“I’m proud to have been lead member for planning and I’m very proud to have won a national Partnership Achievement award in February.

“I’ve been very lucky to work with such a distinguished, inspirational group of councillors and officers, in particular Sara Randall Johnson, Paul Diviani, Karim Hassan and Flyss Morley.”