As membership secretary and social chairman of Budleigh Salterton & District Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to apologise to those people who asked if they could put a stall in the High Street on Late Night Shopping and were refused.

As membership secretary and social chairman of Budleigh Salterton & District Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to apologise to those people who asked if they could put a stall in the High Street on Late Night Shopping and were refused. The Chamber has worked hard in maintaining the spirit of the evening, which is to give the shops the chance to open late and to say thank-you to customers for supporting them through the year.

New regulations on road closing have been a nightmare for the chairman and myself this year, This evening is not a charity event and yet one group, even after being told 'no' by the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and myself, decided to disregard the policies of the Chamber and set up a stall. We have nothing against them collecting for their chosen charity and wish them luck, but not on late night shopping evening.

I would like to thank everyone who helped on the evening: The Lions, Fire Service, Marshalls, Police and members of the Chamber.

After 11 happy years I have decided to now hand in my resignation and let someone new take over the reins.

Thank you to all who have helped and supported me all those years.

Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you all.

Mrs Pauline Swannell,

High Street,

Budleigh Salterton.