CHRISTINE Grills, who has just ended her year as West Devon mayor, handed over a giant cheque for almost £900 to Macmillan Cancer Relief — her chosen charity.

The money was raised with a variety of events, including a coffee morning, a Christmas concert by the Stannary Brass Band, the collection from the annual civic service and a donation in lieu of Christmas cards from West Devon Borough Council staff.

Cllr Grills even 'auctioned' the mayor's reserved car parking space at the borough's Kilworthy Park offices in Tavistock for 12 months to raise some extra cash.

'Everyone was so generous and my thanks go to all who donated. It is such a good cause,' she said.

Calvin Lovelock, of Macmillan's Devon headquarters, who received the money, said: 'Such donations are so important to us. We are very grateful to Cllr Grills and to the rest of West Devon for all their hard work.'