16233/2DEVIZES' new mayoress, Sue Evans, had to miss her husband's inauguration as mayor last Thursday after she broke her leg in three places.

Guests were told by retiring mayor, Coun Margaret Taylor, Mrs Evans would not be attending because she was in the Great Western Hospital in Swindon following a fall.

Coun Taylor said: "Our hearts go out to her and hope she will soon make a complete recovery."

Coun Peter Evans said: "We were walking along Sidmouth Street on Wednesday afternoon when Sue got her heel caught in a grating.

"She was holding something in her hands and it shot forward. She tried to grab it and twisted her leg badly. I could hear the crack.

"People immediately began rushing over and asking if they could help. I asked someone to ring for an ambulance and they did so straight away. "

Mrs Evans, 59, had a plate inserted in her leg at Great Western Hospital on Friday and returned home on Saturday.

Mr Evans said: "She is going to have to get used to hobbling around on crutches."

Mr Evans, manager of Duck's newsagents, has been a town and district councillor since 2002. For the last 20 years Mrs Evans has been a receptionist at Kennet District Council. The couple have two children, Gareth and Sarah.

In his acceptance speech, Coun Evans said Devizes was well placed to become a tourism centre. He said he would prefer to see the town prosper economically than become a dormitory.