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 (SPOTY) competition.

Councillor Graham Godbeer made his comments at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday evening (December 17), 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.

Feniton “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!”.