COMEDIAN Jennifer Saunders has made her holiday home in Chagford permanent, after swapping the glitz and glamour of Knightsbridge for a more rural way of life.

But Chagford residents are taking the move all in their stride.

Locals said Miss Saunders, her comic star husband Adrian Edmondson and their three daughters were already considered as 'part of the community' after purchasing Teigncomb Manor, just outside the town, several years ago.

But contrary to some national and regional newspaper reports, the star and creator of 'Absolutely Fabulous' and one half of the comic duo French and Saunders, is not involved with the parish council — and her move has not suddenly made Chagford a more attractive place to live and shop.

Inventor of the jet engine, the late Frank Whittle, entrepreneur Peter de Savrey, members of the Ferranti family of engineers and TV presenter and wildlife expert Nick Baker have all fallen in love with the charm of the Chagford area and made homes there at some point.

Peter Hill, chairman of the parish council, said it was also not unusual to see famous people walking around the town who were guests at the Michelin-starred Gidleigh Park Hotel, but it was not a big deal to the local people.

He said Adrian Edmondson played for Chagford Cricket Club and Jennifer had awarded prizes and been involved with events, but they did court publicity.

'Jennifer is just one of several personalities who live around here and I hope she enjoys it,' he said.

'We are lucky to have a good range of services here and that is why people like it, coupled with the beauty of the area.'

He said Chagford was a popular place to retire to after the war for colonial officers and it had always been an attractive and thriving town.

'Chagford existed before Jennifer Saunders moved here and it will exist after she has gone,' he said.

He added that the only downside of so many people wanting to move to the South West was that house prices in the area were now out of the range of young house seekers who had grown up there.

Manager of the Bullers Arms in Chagford, Steve Luxton, said the celebrity couple were very normal and should be left in peace.

'We do not treat them any differently than anyone else and that is the way they would want it to be,' he said.

His feelings were reiterated by chairman of the town's business association, Chris Webber, who said Chagford had delicatessens and health food shops long before the couple arrived.

'We just treat them as neighbours — we know who they are but we do not make a song and dance about it,' he said.

'I see Jennifer in the town and I say hello just like I would to anyone else.

'I think it is lovely they have made Chagford their permanent home. Unlike some famous people who just move here to have a secret bolthole, they have become involved in the local community and that's great.'