OKEHAMPTON Chamber of Trade has been awarded a grant of £2,500 to promote its produce and craft markets.

The money is a local tourism grant and comes from the South Devon and Dartmoor Leader Two's 'Make a Difference Scheme'.

Chairman of the chamber Ian Bailey said with that sort of money it would enable a really professional marketing job to be done both for the existing farmers' market, the indoor market and potential Wednesday afternoon market in the town centre.

'The grant will allow us to conduct a wider press advertising campaign so we can get visitors from Exeter, Plymouth and Barnstaple throughout the year,' he said.

'There is a real opportunity to enhance the indoor market area with the plans to refurbish the Market Hall this year and that is one of the things we will be focusing on.'

Mr Bailey said he was delighted with the way the farmers' market had taken off. There was no shortage of stallholders and the event continued to be very popular 18 months after it was started.

'I hope to see a natural progression of the farmers' market this coming year with market stalls in Fore Street or St James Street on Wednesday afternoons,' he said.

'This will extend the range not just of food but crafts as well but at the moment we are going through a period of public consultation to establish that the majority of people want this.

'We may think it is a brilliant idea to bring more people into the town and liven up Okehampton but other people may have other ideas — we would like to know.'