A regular attendee of meetings as a member of the public, Mark Upton now has his own seat around the table at Helston Town Council.

Mr Upton, pictured right, who is chairman of the Epworth Hall, has been co-opted as a town councillor for the north ward – although he hopes his arrival will benefit the whole of the town.

He told the Packet this week: “Being quite well known in the town, I’ve got the ear of various people. I’m looking to hear from people anywhere in the town, if they want to bring things up.

“If people have got concerns they want to raise in the ward or in the town they can get in touch with me.”

He can be contacted on 01326 561636 or email mark.upton@yahoo.co.uk “I have said I will continue to be robust around the table as I was from the public gallery,” he added.

Mr Upton said he would like to see the council take control of more of the town’s services, so that there was more local input.

The council currently looks after the bus shelters and is looking at taking over the public toilets.

Mr Upton is already involved in many areas of the town, including the Harvest Fair committee and Helston Theatre Company. Last summer he helped lead the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Helston and just before Christmas was one of two emergency contacts to help victims of flooding at St John’s.

Town mayor Jonathan Radford-Gaby said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of councillor Mark Upton to Helston Town Council.

Many people will already know Mark as he is a seasoned volunteer and long standing resident here in the town centre.

“Mark has for many years served the town in various guises, latterly being heavily involved with many of the fine productions at the Epworth Hall.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Councillor Upton.

I warmly congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to his contribution to the council.”

Mr Upton’s co-option as councillor fills the vacancy left open by the resignation of Richard Pryor last month.

Mr Pryor has left the area to continue his retirement closer to his family in Wiltshire.