NETHER Stowey Parish Council has returned to full strength for the first time in nearly 12 months with the co-option of Cllr Lesley Bowditch to fill a vacancy.

The nine-strong council, which meets in the St Mary’s Church Centre, also elected Cllr John Roberts as chairman after he was co-opted at the annual meeting in May, with Cllr Kevin Ferriday as vice-chairman.