DARTMOOR National Park Authority elected its chairman, deputy chairman and chairs of various authority committees during its recent annual meeting.

The DNPA re-elected Bill Hitchins as chairman, and Maurice Retallick as deputy chairman of authority.

Bill Hitchins said: 'I am delighted to be re-elected chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority and with the support of members and staff, now look to taking on the challenges that we, as an authority, will face over the forthcoming year.

'Now, more than ever, effective partnership working is essential to achieving our objectives and I remain committed to the delivery of national park purposes for the benefit of Dartmoor, its communities and those that visit this wonderful place.'

As well as being elected deputy chairman of the national park at the meeting, Maurice Retallick was also elected chairman of the authority's park management working panel.

The national park comprises 22 members. Six are appointed by Devon County Council, and six by the district councils — three from West Devon Borough Council, two from Teignbridge Borough Council and one from South Hams District Council.

Ten members are government appointees, four of whom represent parish council interests. The other six government appointees are people, usually local, with specialist knowledge of, or a particular interest in, the national park.

They are appointed for a three year period and help provide the balance of local and national interests that is essential to the management of a national park.