OKEHAMPTON Rotary Club took part in a world-wide Rotary project which hopes to eliminate polio throughout the world.

Thanks for Life, which is sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates, of Microsoft, have pledged £1.70 for every £1 raised by Rotary International.

For three days at the end of February, Okehampton Rotary Club members put a tent in the Red Lion Yard and promoted the project.

Each day members were happy to talk to the public about the generous project and encourage their help by buying draw tickets and lucky dips for the children.

A documentary DVD was played over the three days showing the final push to end polio in India and gave a background to Rotary's campaign to end polio worldwide.

Okehampton Rotary Club raised more than £800 throughout the three days, which will go towards the £1million target Rotary Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland have set themselves.

Okehampton Rotary Club President, Mike Macklin said: 'I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project.

'Rotary is committed to eradicating polio and this is the final push thanks to the generous assistance of Bill and Melinda Gates.

'I am always amazed at Okehampton's generosity and I would also like to thank all the club members who gave up their time to help this project.'