THREE new faces will be seen on Overton Parish Council after almost half of all eligible residents in the village voted in this year's parish council elections, recording the highest turnout in the borough.

Some 17 parishioners stood for the 12 seats being contested, forcing the first parish council elections for 12 years.

Around 46.45 per cent cast their vote and re-elected Ian Tilbury (1052 votes), Brian Langer (785), Paula Baker (711), Peter Baker (599), Lucy Sloane Williams (575), Sue Johnson (458), Maggie Atkins (439), Mark Atwell (417) and Sarah Mills (415). Overton police officer Paul Green (635), Pat Baker (585) and Stephen Heaver (441) were also elected.

The other re-sults were Ste-phen Smith (353), Michael Dawes (341), Stanley Bray (339), Will-iam Hensman (331), and George Stewart (289).

A special planning meeting was held this week to discuss the Foxdown plans but the full parish council formalities will take place on Wednes-day.

At this meeting, the council will elect a chairman and vice-chairman.

Paul Green, thought to be the only police officer in the county on a parish council, welcomed his election. He said: "Lots of people clearly had issues and it was good to see so many people turning out to vote."