BERKELEY Town Council has re-elected Cllr Ralph Pinnell as chairman after he was the only nominee.

Cllr John Freeland, who made the nomination, said: "I know the tremendous amount of work that he puts in. I suggest that, if we did not have him, our rates would be far higher."

Cllr Pinnell once again declined to take on the formal duties of town mayor - one of the reasons being it saved the town's taxpayers money.

A new vice-chairman was elected after council had gone through the previous 12 months without anyone filling the post.

Cllr Freeland will take on the role, having been proposed by Cllr Pinnell.