TAVISTOCK'S longest serving town councillor last week made an impassioned plea to residents to consider representing their parish.

The council has a vacancy for a member on its South West ward — but so far, no-one has put themselves forward for co-option.

Cllr Sherrell said: 'I can't be the only councillor in this room who feels despondency at the fact that out of a population of 12,000, we can't get a single person.

'We are talking about an authority which holds in its hands much of the heritage of the town, a huge portfolio of property and yet not one person has put their name forward.

'We represent grass roots democracy, it's one thing I am always mithering on about. Democracy is the most precious thing we have, it's what people fought for, and to wax slightly lyrical, it's not a hardy annual, and if it's not nourished, it will perish.'

Cllr Sherrell said if the lowest tier of local government did not flourish, power would move upwards and local representation would fail.

He said: 'I feel almost anger that there is no-one willing to be co-opted, to have their say and make their mark. We're not some sort of private members' club, we are a local authority trying to represent the people of this town.

'Generally, we get things right, and people will quite rightly find fault with us if we get it wrong, but for heaven's sake, come on this council and make your mark if you think we have done.'

Cllr Mandy Ewings said she agreed wholeheartedly with Cllr Sherrell.

'One of the things that disappoints me is the fact I am still the youngest person on this council after all these years — it's awful, it really is.

'People need to be encouraged to come forward,' said Cllr Ewings, 48, who wondered if it was possible to encourage 18-year-old sixth formers from either of the town's colleges to step up to the plate.

'It would be very sad if we decided to go forward on the basis of 16 members rather than 17 and give up the hunt,' she said.

Anyone over the age of 18 who lives in the parish of Tavistock, or who owns land or premises in the town, or whose principle or only place of work is within the town, is eligible to be co-opted to Tavistock Town Council.

For more information call 01822 613529 or go to the website at http://www.tavistock.gov.uk">www.tavistock.gov.uk and click on the news section for an application form.