SOME 200 people attended a UK Independence Party rally at Jethro's in Lewdown on Sunday.

West Devon and Torridge UKIP constituency association spokeswoman Nina Cooper said prospective party candidate, Matthew Jackson, and the former Conservative whip, Roger Knapman, who recently defected to the UKIP, and party spokesman Nigel Farage MEP, delivered upbeat speeches, followed by a wide-ranging question and answer session.

During the association's annual meeting, which followed, David Weeks, of Exbourne, was elected chairman, Richard Wooldridge, of Halwill, vice-chairman. Sara Johnson and David Johnson, secretary and treasurer, Hilary Cawsey, membership secretary, Bob Baker area representative and Nina Cooper press officer.