A council officer has won a national award for her work in the waste and resources industry.

Exmouth Town Council's climate and ecological emergency resilience officer, Zoey Cooper, was ranked ninth in the Resource Hot 100, winning the title of Newcomer of the Year.

The Resource Hot 100, which has been running since 2002, celebrates individual achievements in the waste and resources industry.

More than 17,500 verified votes were cast this year, with Ms Cooper leading the votes in her category.

She has been recognised for her swift and substantial contributions to the sector, having been in her role for less than two years.

Ms Cooper said: "When I woke up to the severity of the climate and nature emergency, I threw myself into climate action."

She previously worked in marketing but transitioned to her role at Exmouth Town Council after her passion for climate action grew.

In just 18 months, she has initiated a range of campaigns, including the Exmouth reusable cup scheme, Samudra the (plastic-eating) sea serpent, a real nappy scheme, promoting reusable period products, clothes swapping, Magpies: A Thrifty Festival, and Exmouth Festival: Treading More Lightly.

The Resource Hot 100, which celebrates individual achievements in the waste and resources industry, saw unprecedented engagement this year, with more than 17,500 verified votes cast.

This was a significant increase from previous years, highlighting the growing importance of circular economy principles and the waste and resources sector's crucial role in addressing environmental challenges.

Zoey Cooper's rapid rise to prominence in the waste resources sector and her exceptional work as climate and ecological emergency resilience officer at Exmouth Town Council earned her the title of Newcomer of the Year.

Her swift and substantial contributions to the sector exemplify the impact that dedicated newcomers can make in a short time.