Dartmouth has been told to get off its backside and start supporting its local council after the town virtually turned its back on a double by-election due to go ahead next month.

The election day will now have to be cancelled after just one person put their name forward for the seat left vacant in the Clifton Ward and not a single person put their name down to stand for the Townstal Ward seat.

Town clerk Chris Horan said: 'I don't think we have ever been in this situation before.'

And outspoken town councillor Dave Cawley declared: 'It's about time the people of Dartmouth got off their backsides and did something and helped those councillors who are striving for a better Dartmouth and to help those councillors who are trying to keep Dartmouth special.'

He pointed out that there are major issues that have to be addressed in the town – from the massive new development proposed on the edge of the town at West Dart to the high rents and house prices which are driving away the town's young people.

He blamed the town council's poor reputation in the town for stopping people from stepping forward to become town councillors – a reputation which he said is undeserved.

'I think Dartmouth Town Council appears to have a very bad reputation and people don't seem to want to be part of it.

'If those people came to our council meetings and saw what was happening they might change their minds. I really think it is an unjustified reputation,' he said.

Richard Cooke from Crowthers Hill Dartmouth – the only person to stand for either seat after nominations closed last week - will now automatically be elected on the 16 strong town council without a vote being cast.

And South Hams Council is faced with re-advertising the vacancy for the Townstal ward all over again and setting up a new election date in the hope that someone will stand the second time around.

The town council was faced with the double elections following the resignations of Joanna Gaukroger and veteran councillors of 20 years Debbie Morris just a few weeks apart.

Mr Horan said: 'Normally we get at least one nomination and someone gets in unopposed.

'I am not aware that we have had a situation like this before.'

Mr Cooke, who has lived in Dartmouth for the last 11 years while teaching children's medicine in Liverpool is now living permanently in the town.

He stood for a by-election in May this year when he was narrowly defeated by local mother and advertising sales worker Hayley Rundle.

Mr Cawley said the town council's reputation was currently at a low ebb which might explain why so few people want to become councillors.

'So many councillors have left and I am sure people are wondering what on earth is happening there,' he added.