SOUTH Hams Council's award-winning street scene team has been given a pat on the back for helping to keep a lid on Dartmouth's traffic during two of the town's biggest events of the year.

The team was presented with a glass trophy after winning a 'small business friendly' award for the 'best parking policy'.

And they have also been praised for the way they coped with the huge highway challenges caused by the regatta and then the Tour of Britain cycle race finale – both of which saw tens of thousands of people descend upon the town.

South Hams Council leader John Tucker told his fellow councillors: 'I think that we have a car park team that is dedicated and do a huge amount of work throughout the South Hams.'

He added: 'This year they have had to deal with several large events. Only recently they had to cope with the Tour of Britain road race.

'Without their control of our car parking we would be in a right mess.'

The Federation of Small Businesses award was partly for the launch of the council's residents' permit which, for £21 a year, allows free parking in any car park in the district from 4pm to 10am each day.

The initiative has encouraged residents to shop earlier or later in the day and supports night-time businesses, whose customers don't have to pay for parking.

Mr Tucker added: 'The team does a marvellous job, sometimes in quite challenging circumstances. They deserve all credit for their hard work.'