COUNCILLOR Phil Collins has been elected the new leader of Torridge District Council to replace Cllr Barry Parsons.

Cllr Collins has been ward member for Clinton since 2003 and up until his election was the lead member for the Torridge Economy. He is in the Non-Aligned Group.

Cllr Roger Johnson has remained deputy leader.

The new leader addressed the full council last week after his election by saying: 'I hope we can all work together for the benefit of Torridge and I would like to thank Cllr Parsons for all his hard work over the last two years. I look forward to working with all members of Torridge District Council.'

Cllr Collins, who is married with three children, came to Devon as a 19-year-old and worked on the Clinton Estates before getting a job in an antiques shop in Bideford. He soon set up as an antique restorer in Merton before starting Barometer World in 1979.

He is a long-standing member of Merton Parish Council and is currently vice-chair.

­He said he was passionate about rural communities remaining strong and vibrant and saw his priorities as protecting local jobs and increasing opportunities for all throughout the district.