Councillor Duncan Rawlinson and Councillor Paula Stanbury were co-opted as town councillors for Burnham North ward last night (Tuesday, 20 July).

The decision was made by members of the town council after no candidates came forward for the ward election held on 6 May.

Councillor Rawlinson has volunteered for Burnham RNLI for 10 years. He said: "I have good grounding and experience in supporting the community and helping the community."

He added: "I want to give something."

Areas he is interested in improving include the environment, highways and parking.

He said: "How can we go forward and utilise what we've got, and try to improve what we've got?"

Councillor Stanbury wants to help locally following her time volunteering for Citizen's Advice.

She said: "That's stopped because of Covid, so I'm looking for something to do that's helping people."

With grandchildren in the area, issues she is concerned about include schooling and there being "too much development without resources".

Both candidates were received enthusiastically. Councillor Vanessa Bell, who is also the town mayor, proposed that the council co-opt both candidates for the vacant North ward.

She said: "It's marvellous to have people with time and energy to come and join us."