A MEMBER of a parish council near Taunton is in the running to be selected as the Councillor of the Year in a national competition.

Cllr Martine Naughton, of Trull Parish Council, has been chosen as a finalist in the National Association of Local Councils' (NALC) Star Council Awards 2023.

Cllr Naughton recently oversaw the project management of Trull's award winning park and has set up several community events including The Trull Storyteller, a series of children's storytelling in the park.

She also co-ordinates the popular Trull Village Garden Club and voluntarily assists local small businesses and the popular Blackdown Repair Cafe with their marketing communications.

The winners of the Star Council Awards will be announced during NALC's House of Lords reception November 29.

NALC chairman Cllr Keith Stevens said: "Congratulations to Cllr Naughton whose outstanding achievements have placed her among the best in her field.

"This recognition is well-deserved. Her hard work, dedication, and talent have shone through, and it's an honour to see her as a finalist for this prestigious award.

"All at NALC wish her the very best of luck as an inspiration to us all."

Cllr Naughton said: "It was a real surprise to be nominated as a finalist.

"Alongside my fellow councillors in Trull, we thoroughly enjoy helping to make the village and wider area a place that's supportive of the community."