A GROUP hoping to attract thousands of pounds of investment into the Okehampton area is taking the next step forward in preparing a wishlist blueprint to be presented to funding agencies this year and in future.

The Okehampton Market and Coastal Towns Initiative locality group has received a draft report prepared by consultant Neil Spencer which they are studying in detail.

The report contains information built up from public consultations held in Chagford, North Tawton and Okehampton.

Marilyn Tucker, group treasurer, said: ?We are going through the report for factual errors. The report will be published at the end of January and anyone then will be able to see it.?

Copies of the report will be placed in various locations including the library, the Ockment Centre, the post office and town council offices, enabling the public to read it and see how the results of previous public consultation have been put together.

Meanwhile, the group is still looking for people to join this exciting stage of the process.

Ms Tucker said they would like to hear from anyone, young or old, working or retired, male or female, who would like to get involved.

?We are specially looking for people that could help us with our communication strategy,? said Ms Tucker, who added the MCTI needed to make sure the process of consultation was as inclusive as possible.

Judy Pride, member of the group and worker for CARD, (Co-ordinated Action for the Regeneration of Devon), said the process of bringing the action plan together and preparing for funding applications was ?gathering pace?.

Mrs Pride said: ?We are definitely moving forward, and the good thing is there are many other towns going through this learning process as well.?

She said the consultant?s report will also be studied by the MCTI locality groups in North Tawton and Chagford, ahead of a MCTI steering group meeting at the end of January.

?It contains a huge amount of information, about what the circumstances are in the towns, what the gaps are, the gut reactions of people,? she said.

And Mrs Pride also urged Okehampton residents to read the report when it is published ? and consider joining the locality group.

?People must not feel they have to come to every single meeting ? they are not signing up for a lifetime of commitment,? she said.

For information, contact Marilyn Tucker, c/o Ockment Centre, or Judy Pride on 01837 55775.