VOLUNTEER directors on the Dartmouth Business Improvement District received applause at the end of their open meeting after they hit back at criticism.

The spontaneous show of support may signal a change of fortune for the beleaguered BID which has suffered a series of mishaps since its inception some 12 months ago.

Director Kate Ryder said: 'We are all volunteers and we need more help. Everyone knows the BID has had teething problems but you can't expect too much of us.

For more on this story, see this week's Dartmouth Chronicle