TAVISTOCK will be going Sugar Smart thanks to local mother and Sugar Smart Ambassador Jo Ellis with support from Devon County Council.

After becoming concerned about the marketing of unhealthy, sugary products around the town, Jo attended Sugar Smart ambassador training — and decided she would like to start a movement in Tavistock aimed at making the healthy choice the easy choice.

Jo approached her local councillor, Debo Sellis, and together they are setting up a Sugar Smart Tavistock campaign with support from Sugar Smart Devon and the Public Health Team at Devon County Council.

Councillor Sellis has provided £500 worth of funding to get the initiative off the ground.

The campaign aims to reduce advertising and marketing, which may be aimed at children particularly as well as increase the number of healthy options available in the town.

Local people are invited to join Sugar Smart Tavistock and attend Sugar Smart Ambassador training on March 27 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Tavistock Library.

The training will give an overview of the campaign, showcase the resources that are available and provide ideas of how ambassadors can get involved to promote healthy eating. People are also invited between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on March 27 to find out more.

The campaign will support food and drink outlets in the town to raise awareness and reduce the amount of sugar customers consume. It is not aimed to encourage people to go sugar free, but to be sugar smart.

The recommended daily intake of free sugar is a maximum of seven teaspoons for adults and a maximum of five to six teaspoons for children. However, on average adults are currently eating twice this amount and children eating three times as much.

Jo said: ‘I was overweight for most of my thirties and I understand the challenges of reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. I know that confusion and the temptations we’re constantly bombarded by can make it really hard to make healthy choices for ourselves and our children.

‘Sugar Smart is starting to make it easier for people to make better choices across the UK and I’m really proud to be part of making this happen in Tavistock.

‘I’m turning my frustration into action and I hope there are lots of other people in Tavistock that will want to help us transform Tavistock in to a Sugar Smart town!’

Cllr Debo Sellis added: ‘Jo contacted me as a really concerned parent. Understandably, Jo wants the best for her children and reducing the risks of obesity and tooth decay is harder to prevent when there are lovely treats and sweets available so easily.

‘I contacted Ruby Entwistle in public health and Jo was able to join the Sugar Smart Ambassadors. Tavistock is really fortunate to have a wonderfully enthusiastic and fun-loving person like Jo!’