A pioneering new project to rehabilitate young offenders looks set to be based at Okehampton Camp — and the scheme has the backing of the town's mayor, who says she is 'all for it'.

C-FAR, or the Centre for Adolescent Rehabilitation, hopes to take up to 12 male young offenders at a time for ten-week residential courses at the camp, followed by nine-months 'mentor' support.

The trainees would only be taken from the South West and be risk-assessed before being accepted onto the course.

The organisation aims to run seven courses a year and is the brainchild of Tavistock-born ex-Royal Marine, Trevor Philpott.

He said: 'The majority of young men who become involved in persistent crime often experienced an underprivileged, distressing childhood.

'Having been excluded from school or left prematurely, many do not complete their education.'

He believes C-FAR will provide a holistic, cost-effective programme and promote personal development and empowerment for individuals locked in a cycle of persistent re-offending.

'You can actually talk to someone in a civilised manner — these are skills they don't have. They don't have skills you and I take for granted. These things need to be taught to them,' he said.

Mr Philpott said having C-FAR in the area would boost Okehampton.

He said staff would live in the area, they would purchase local goods and services, and there would be employment opportunities.

He said 'negative perceptions' of young offenders would decrease, which would have a knock-on effect on fear of crime.

C-FAR hopes to move into the hamp this month, with the first course beginning on June 23.

Mr Philpott said current drug or alcohol addicts, serious sex offenders or violent criminals would not be accepted on C-FAR courses.

'We are talking about the guys who burgled your home or car,' he said.

Euro-cash to the tune of £92,000 was assured subject to the agreement of the Ministry of Defence.

During the first year places will be funded by the Employment Service, the Department of Education and Employment and a C-FAR bursary fund, most of which is provided by a National Lottery Charities Board grant of £181,000 and other Trust and PROSPER donations.

C-FAR is working in partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and Mr Philpott hopes trainees will be presented with bronze awards on completion of the course, with the opportunity to take silver and gold later.

Mr Philpott said C-FAR was the result of three years 'dogged hard work'.

'None of us have taken salaries during this time, we have had to make significant lifestyle changes, but this is our commitment to it,' he said.

Cllr Christine Marsh, mayor of Okehampton, said: 'If it's going to help people then I am all for it.

'You have to give people a chance — they seem to have got it well organised and as long as we have not the serious offenders here, which they assure us won't happen, we should give them a chance and see how it goes.'

Cllr Marsh said it was easy to take a good upbringing for granted.

'You don't stop and think that others are not so privileged,' she said.

The camp falls within the parish boundary of Okehampton Hamlets — chairman of the parish council Dudley Luxton said he had not received any official notification of the project from C-FAR, but he considered the camp an 'appropriate' base for the group.

C-FAR was recently refused permission to use a remote farm near Holsworthy.

Torridge District Council's planning committee said the application was not considered appropriate because of the remoteness of the area, lack of policing and fear of increased crime.

Another site at Zeal Monachorum was also withdrawn after local opposition.

C-FAR was awaiting Ministry of Defence approval for the scheme as the Times went to press.