BROADWOODKELLY,Monkokehampton and Iddesleigh Conservatives recently celebrated their branch's 50th anniversary.

A packed Northcote Hall in Iddesleigh welcomed Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for the new Central Devon seat, Mel Stride, to a celebratory event on Friday, September 5.

Mr Stride offered the branch his 'heartfelt congratulations' and spoke of the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of society.

He said: 'This branch is a stunning success and was started in 1958 when Harold Macmillan was Prime Minister.

'MacMillan of course believed in "One Nation" conservatism in which our duty to look after the most vulnerable in our society is paramount.

'That is a tradition of which we should continue to be proud.'