DEVON County Council (DCC) has launched a new social media channel to keep residents informed and up-to-date.

DCC’s official WhatsApp channel is now live.

It will allow residents to receive updates and important information directly to their phones.

‘We hope that our WhatsApp channel will enhance our communication channels making it easier for residents to receive messages directly from us and provide another convenient and accessible way for you to stay informed’ a spokesperson for DCC said.

Although WhatsApp channels are a one-way platform, people can respond to posts using an emoji.

WhatsApp channels are different and separate to a typical WhatsApp chat.

‘Following our WhatsApp channel does not mean that we will feature in your list of personal chats, but instead our updates will appear in the Updates tab in the app.

‘Your profile name, photo and mobile phone number are kept hidden and secure, and not in view to us or other followers’ the spokesperson said.

To join, scan the QR code below or follow this link.

Once the channel opens, click ‘Follow’ in the top right.