The Budleigh Salterton and District Chamber of Commerce has announced that it is being disbanded and ceases to exist.

During the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday April 18th it was decided by the committee and those present that the organisation could not carry on without more support.

Chairman and Secretary has recently retired and with no one coming forward to take on these roles, the group was left in a difficult position.

Over the past few years, the membership has fallen, and many traders were not responding to communications sent out.

A spokesman for Budleigh Salterton and District Chamber of Commerce said: "We have been in existence since 1907, so it is a sad time for us, but unfortunately inevitable, given the current situation.

"Over many years, the Chamber of Commerce has achieved great things within the community of Budleigh Salterton. It has organised many events and occasions, and brought members together to provide a good service and opportunities to our customers and visitors. We organised Christmas Late Night Shopping every year and we maintained and installed the Christmas lights. Over time, we have been fortunate to have been supported by other organisations in the town contributing toward our endeavours to keep Budleigh Salterton a vibrant lovely town.

"However, the Christmas Lights have become a huge expense and cannot be supported by the amount of income generated by a falling membership. We hope that another committee may be created to take on their responsibility . If you would like to be part of a Christmas Lights committee, please get in touch."