The chairman of East Devon District Council has congratulated Feniton-born athlete Jo Pavey on her third place in the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year competition.
Councillor Graham Godbeer made his comments at a meeting of the full council, when he announced that he has written to her with an invitation to a civic function in February 2015.
The chairman said: "The council wishes to congratulate Feniton-born athlete Jo Pavey on her third place in Sunday's BBC Sports Personality Of The Year competition.
"In a public vote among a national TV audience Jo came in the 'bronze medal' position behind Formula 1 motor racing champion Lewis Hamilton and world number one golfer Rory McIlroy.
"Many of you will know that Jo was born in Feniton and was a pupil at The King's School, Ottery St Mary.
"Earlier this year she won a gold medal in the 10,000-metre event at the European Championships in Zurich at the age of 40 and only 10 months after giving birth to her second child.
"She is a highly successful international, Commonwealth and Olympic athlete and some years ago now even found the time to support a campaign that resulted in building the Coleridge footbridge at Ottery.
"On behalf of the council and the people of East Devon, I'd like to warmly congratulate Jo on her achievements – especially the successes of the past few months.
"Her gold medal at Zurich will have been very satisfying after a long and eventful career. But to be nominated for sports personality and make it to the final three in a public vote among such illustrious company must make it a very special year for her. Well done Jo!"
