From Janet Kipling, Exeter 383654, July 04,2008

"Gill's still our number one" was the verdict from Councillors, colleagues and local people, after a Devon County Council mobile librarian narrowly missed out on being voted Britain's top council worker.

Gill Boyce was up for the Local Government Worker of the Year Award, which was announced at a glittering gala dinner in Bournemouth last night.

Gill has worked as a mobile librarian in the South Hams area for over two decades and was one of the finalists in the Care and Commitment category, one of seven sections.

Despite not being awarded the top prize, Gill's supporters said she was a credit to Devon County Council.

Executive Member for Personnel and Corporate Performance, Councillor Des Hannon, said:

"As far as we are concerned Gill is a real winner. She was up against massive competition at an incredibly prestigious event. We were just enormously proud that she was shortlisted. Gill is caring, committed and at the heart of her community, and a credit to Devon County Council."

The awards are organised by the Local Government Channel and the Local Government Association.