LYME residents have been praising the outgoing town council and hope the new council can take up the mantle.

Last Wednesday’s full council meeting was the last one before the following day’s election.

Talbot Road resident Nigel Ball said: “I hope the new council pick up the pieces and fly the flag for Lyme.”

He added: “Lyme’s seafront may be the shop window for Lyme Regis but you must look after the stock in the back room, which is the people in the town.”

Mr Ball also thanked Town Mayor Michaela Ellis for her service to the town.

Church Cliff resident Derek Hallett thanked the councillors for the time they have dedicated to the town, and Coun Ellis for her two years’ ‘hard work’.

In response, the mayor thanked Coun Ken Meech and David Cozens, who did not stand for re-election.

“They have contributed an awful lot to this council and the town,” she said.

Coun Ellis thanked all those who have supported her as mayor, including her family, deputy mayor and mayoress Coun Owen Lovell and wife Christine, the Rev Jane Skinner and the Rev Rosemary Bragg for being mayor’s chaplains, and town crier Phil Street.

She also thanked the mace bearers, town clerk Mike Lewis and his staff.