THE price of goods and local services in remote areas will be among issues discussed at an important event on Tuesday March 20.

The community consultation event is being organised by the Office of Fair Trading, which is looking for the views of people living in a rural area.

The workshop event is part of a fact-finding review to understand more about the challenges facing consumers and businesses in remote communities across the UK.

The OFT recognises that prices of many goods and services are frequently higher in remote communities, there can be fewer suppliers available, and access to key services such as shops, dentists, chemists, banks and public transport can be limited.

Fuel prices are a common cause for concern for those who need to travel long distances to get to school, to work or to the shops.

While shopping online may expand opportunities for broader choice and quality, deliveries to more isolated areas can sometimes be problematic or costly.

The OFT will be seeking to explore these and other issues with communities and businesses in remote areas, with the aim of improving its, and others' understanding of how consumer or competition law can help tackle them.

As part of the project, the OFT will be running workshops with residents in seven locations across the UK. The Okehampton workshop is the event for Devon.

Kyla Brand, OFT director said: 'Geography and population density can have a major impact on the cost and accessibility of goods and services to consumers, and on how businesses operate.

'We want to get a clearer picture of these issues and understand and explain some of the reasons behind them. We also want to explore what the OFT, or other bodies could do to reduce the downsides, and maximise the benefits of remoteness.'

The workshop takes place at the Ockment Centre from 2pm to 4pm. All are welcome to attend and share their views.