Councillor Daniel Ledger has become Seaton's youngest ever mayor and chairman of the town council.

The 30 year old, who also sits on East Devon District Council, was elected at last night's virtual annual general meeting of the town council, replacing Cllr Ken Beer.

Cllr Ledger previously served as Cllr Beer's deputy, but now the roles have reversed with Cllr Beer elected the new deputy mayor.

It comes during an apparent upturn in interest in local government among young people. Axminster Town Council recently co-opted its youngest ever member, Ollie Tucker, aged just 18, who is also running for county council, and Lyme Regis Town Council just chose its youngest member - 21-year-old Kelsey Ellis - as deputy mayor elect.

Proposing Cllr Ledger as mayor, Cllr Marcus Hartnell said: "I find Dan to be extremely conscientious as a town councillor, he's very fair and a pleasure to work with, he's done excellent job as deputy over the past 12 months and I think he will be a superb mayor for Seaton over the next year."

Cllr Beer seconded the nomination and it was unanimously agreed.

In accepting office, Cllr Ledger said: "I would like to thank Cllr Beer for all his hard work over the past two years. It has been an extremely hard year but he has still achieved so much in that time, so thanks to him and thank you all."

Cllr Martin Macaskill then nominated Cllr Cheryl Wood for the role of deputy mayor, but she declined saying she did not feel experienced enough to take this on.

Cllr Hartnell then nominated Cllr Beer, commenting: "He's done an excellent job steadying the ship over the past two years and it's not been an easy time."

This nomination was seconded by Cllr David Wright and agreed.

On East Devon District Council, Cllr Ledger is a member of the Independent East Devon Alliance and is Cabinet member for strategic planning and lead member for procurement.

In a statement issued this morning, Seaton Town Council said that Cllr Ledger "works tirelessly for the town in his voluntary roles as both a town and district councillor".

The council also added its thanks to outgoing mayor Cllr Beer "who has has been at the helm for the last two years and guided us through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic".

The statement added: "All councillors are looking forward to getting out and about in the town to complete projects as restrictions gradually lift.

"Some of our current projects include the installation of water bottle refill stations, the art trail, the creation of a sensory garden and the Streetbase Seaton Project to engage youngsters in the town."