OKEHAMPTON U3A is inviting those curious about the group to find out more about their activities.

The town U3A is a branch of the charity the Third Age Trust, set up to encourage retired people to keep their minds active and to meet new people. There are more than 800 branches throughout the country, each run independently of the headquarters at the Third Age Trust.

Linda Brightwell, chair of Okehampton U3A, said: 'As U3A stands for University of the Third Age many people think you have to have been to a university or be very academic to join. This is not so. 

'In Okehampton we have over 20 groups, mostly meeting in members' homes, with upwards of 140 people in the branch in total.

'The groups, led by members, are very wide ranging and include both educational and social subjects. We have French and Spanish conversation, bridge, creative writing and photography, to name a few.'

The group holds a monthly branch meeting on the last Thursday of each month. The next meeting is the annual general meeting, and in May the meeting will see a speaker from the biodiversity unit.

Visitors are welcome to attend up to three meetings before joining.  The cost is just £12 for the year. If you are interested please contact Linda on 01837 52332 or Sheila on 01837 54391.