IDEAS to improve Okehampton which will bring some economic benefit to the community are being sought for the opportunity to tap into a new fund.

Members of Okehampton Chamber of Trade were told at a meeting last Thursday that a maximum of £22,500 was available for a community project through the 'Devon and West Somerset Key Fund'.

The fund is supported by the South West Development Agency, district and county councils and the European Regional Development Fund.

Manager of the Council for Voluntary Service in Okehampton Carmel Fanconi described the Key Fund as a way in which the voluntary sector, the chamber of trade and other organisations could work together on a special project for the town.

'European funds have generally been difficult for small groups or enhancement groups in the community to access,' she said.

'The whole idea of this is about giving them the key to some help.'

The total cost of a project must not be over £25,000 and funding is available to assist with up to 90 per cent of the cost, the remaining percentage has to be provided in cash by the community.

Local authorities and local government services are not eligible to apply — the fund is only available for small community-based organisations with a constitution and a bank account.

The money can be used for improving existing or adding new community facilities especially those that add to the attractiveness of commercial, heritage and tourist areas; improve access to community information and services; develop appraisals and action plans; improve and celebrate the local features or develop the skills of local people which will enable them to take part in improving their local community or their business or employment prospects.

Chamber chairman Ian Bailey urged members to put their thinking caps on to come up with a project which would fit the remit.

'This is too good an opportunity to waste,' he said.