Councillor John Carter, chairman of South Hams District Council, ended his year in office on Thursday 8 May by presenting a cheque for £7,824.07 to the Devon Air Ambulance.

At the annual meeting of South Hams District Council, Cllr Carter reflected on the great success of the varied fund-raising events that had taken place during his civic year, including a race night at Malborough Village Hall and a golf tournament at the Thurlestone Golf Club.

There to accept the donation from Cllr Carter was Lady Mountbatten, a patron of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

The trust's chief executive, Miss Heléna Holt, was also in attendance and opened the meeting with a reading.

Cllr Carter, who lives in Hope Cove, said: "I am extremely pleased that so many people in the community have come together to support this cause and I am delighted with the overall amount raised.

"The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is a charity close to my heart and I am so proud to have been able to support the trust during my civic year."

Cllr Basil Cane, last year's vice chairman, will replace Cllr Carter as chairman of the council.