OKEHAMPTON Town Council is to investigate the possibility of hosting equipment for free town centre wi-fi, accessible to shoppers and visitors to the town centre.

The town council has been approached by Garry Yeoman of Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade and wi-fi providers Camping Connect about the possibility of installing wi-fi equipment at Okehampton Town Hall.

Shoppers would be able to connect their smartphones, tablets and other devices to the network free of charge.

The council has been approached to host the service as it is a permanent body and is likely to stay in the town hall for a long time to come compared to commercial properties.

Councillors supported the principle of free wi-fi for shoppers and visitors but raised concerns over whether the listed status of the town hall could prevent the necessary aerials being placed on exterior of the building.

Cllr Maureen McDonald said the council would be 'delighted' to have free wi-fi in the town centre, subject to further discussion on the hall's listed building status and whether the installation of equipment would be allowed.

Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'Anything that we can do to help businesses in the town, we have to look at. It seems like a good idea for the town.'

The issue will be discussed again at a later meeting when it has been ascertained whether the required equipment could be installed on the hall building.