THE hard work of volunteers will be placed firmly in the spotlight over the next 12 months by the new mayor of West Devon, Cllr Christine Marsh, who was elected to the post on Tuesday.  Cllr Marsh, who represents Okehampton West, is a keen supporter of the voluntary sector and hopes her role as mayor of the borough will help to promote the range of roles that volunteers take. She said: 'West Devon's volunteers make our borough tick. They carry out some fantastic work and I hope to visit as many voluntary organisations as I can during my year in office.' Cllr Marsh, who worked as a doctors' secretary, is no stranger to civic duty. She served as mayor of Okehampton for five consecutive years from 1999 and in 2010-11 was chairman of Devon County Council. She has also served as chairman of West Devon highways and traffic orders committee and as chairman of Meldon Viaduct Committee. She was first elected as a councillor for Okehampton Town in 1997. In 2001 she was elected to Devon County Council's Okehampton Rural ward, and won a seat on West Devon Borough Council in the 2007 elections. She stood down from her Devon County Council post just last year having been in the role for 12 years. Her daughter Mrs Caroline Mott will be her mayoress. Mrs Mott has followed in the family tradition and is also a councillor. She is chairman of Bridestowe Parish Council. Cllr Marsh's chosen charity will be the Royal British Legion, in honour of the centenary commemorations of the outbreak of the First World War which are being held later this year. Tributes were paid to outgoing mayor Cllr Bill Cann and his wife Christine. Cllr Philip Sanders, leader of the council, said: 'We are exceptionally fortunate to have had someone so dedicated as Cllr Cann who was supported so well in his duties by his wife Christine and his whole family.' Cllr David Cloke was elected as deputy mayor while Cllr Sanders was re-elected as the leader of the council with Cllr Bob Baldwin re-elected as deputy leader.