PEOPLE in Sheet will have a direct say in village affairs for the first time since their original parish council disbanded almost 80 years ago after last week's election.

But there was a surprise as the man who guided through the new shadow council since its inception five months ago failed win a seat.

More than half of the 715-strong electorate turned out to vote, a proportion that the organisers of last week's elections for a Police and Crime Commissioner could only dream about, and the first, historic meeting of Sheet Parish Council is due to take place at 6.30pm tomorrow.

It will take over the administration of the village from Petersfield Town Council.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.