TV PRESENTER and former West Devon resident Angela Rippon was in Okehampton this week to officially open the newly revamped Museum of Dartmoor Life.

The museum has been open to the public for almost three months, but now all the finishing touches have been put to the £650,000 refurbishment, it was decided to hold an official ceremony to celebrate the transformation.

Mrs Rippon, who was awarded an OBE earlier this year, told civic dignitaries gathered at the museum on Monday: ?I am delighted to be here in such august company and on such a wonderful Dartmoor day.?

Mrs Rippon described the museum as ?a centre of excellence? celebrating everything that ?made Dartmoor so special?.

She said she hoped the new and improved museum would be enjoyed not just by the people of Okehampton gathered at the official opening, but by generations to come.

?You hope they will be just as passionate about this wild and wonderful part of the world,? she said.

Mrs Rippon said her television filming took her all over the world; already this year, she had visited Spain, Norway and South Africa. She had just returned from the Himalayas and was due to jet off to Japan in the coming weeks.

However, she said, for her, nothing could beat the view of Dartmoor from her parents? home at Horrabridge, with the sun glinting off the top of Hessary Tor. ?We are very privileged to live in such a special part of the world,? she added.

Mrs Rippon then unveiled an inscribed piece of granite located in the courtyard which welcomes visitors to the museum.

Other specially invited guests at the launch were the Earl and Countess of Devon who were able to toll the two 13th Century bells that came from Okehampton Castle and which bear an inscription relating to Hugh and Eleanor Courtenay, the present Earl?s ancestors.

Also among the guests was mayor of West Devon Cllr Christine Grills and mayor of Okehampton Cllr Tony Leech and mayoress Sue Leech.

There were also characters in period costume helping to show visitors around the exhibits.

Rose Young, widow of the late founder of the Museum of Dartmoor Life John Young, said the trustees were ?delighted and very proud? to welcome everyone to the official opening.

?This happy event is the realistion of many years of hard work. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has worked in so many ways for many years,? she said.

Funding for the revamp came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, EU Objective 2 status, the Dartmoor National Park Authority, South West Regional Development Agency, West Devon Borough Council and a number of local charities.

Dartmoor National Park chairman Cllr Bill Cann was pleased the authority was able to continue to support the museum.

?It is going to be brilliant for the community and it will promote Dartmoor and its history,? he said.