THE 2017 recipient of the Rotary Club of Crediton’s Citizen of the Year award was Sue Read, one of the five founders of the "Crediton Courier", and the newspapers former editor, in recognition of her charitable work to Crediton Town and District for more than 40 years.

In introducing Sue, Rotarian Mike Beskeen spoke of her work for various charities including the Crediton Area Talking Newspaper and the Friends of Crediton Hospital, in addition to the support for many charitable organisations by the newspaper itself.

Rotary President David Bettoney made the award, a perpetual shield, a framed certificate and £100 for Sue’s chosen charity, at a Rotary lunch held at Sandford Cricket Club.

Sue was secretary of Crediton Chamber of Commerce in the late 1970s, beginning the annual "Odd Object" competition which Sue, with the "Courier", ran for many years.

There was involvement with the Crediton Carnival and the Carnival Queen competition, she was a member of and then became secretary of Crediton Hospital League of Friends and helps with the Poppy Appeal at Crediton, among other things.

Sue thanked the Rotary Club for the award and said she was very proud to be associated with so many worthy past recipients.

Previous recipients of the award have included George Davey, Mandy Rowe, Jo Ward, Linda Brown, Peter Hamilton and Joanne Jones.

Sue said she was utterly bowled over and amazed to receive the award and felt very honoured to do so.

Alan Quick