THE rural way of life will be embodied in a corner of Okehampton town centre.

A garden at the junction of Crediton Road and Northfield Road is to be created, and will include a five-bar gate and other rural features.

It is part of the Growing Our Future project and the design was selected after a long public consultation period in the town.

The design for what has become known as the Gateway Garden is part of Growing Our Future's continuous aim to inspire, stimulate and educate the community.

The consultation involved Okehampton United Charities, Okehampton Town Council, Growing Our Future and the local community.

The site was filmed by ITV when volunteers for Growing Our Future got their hands dirty, clearing the overgrown area in February 2009.

Project co-ordinator for Growing Our Future, Beth Hamer, said the scheme would feature a traditional riven chestnut or oak, five-bar gate, along with three converging stonewalls.

The walls will incorporate planting areas containing a hawthorn tree, gorse, heather and bracken.

Beth Hamer said: 'The five-bar field gate is an iconic symbol of the rural way of life central to the Okehampton area.

'Used in the Gateway Garden it refers to the location at the junction as an important entrance to the town and provides a viewpoint towards St James' Chapel.

'It also provides a place to sit and chat with friends and a time to reflect and contemplate.

'It is intended the garden will be like a field corner dropped into the town.'

The design was created by local design craftsman and artist, Jim Hamer.

Materials used will be local granite and shillet stone for the stonewalls and paving.

Planting will be local gorse, heather and a hawthorn tree set into stone beds built into the walls.

There will also be stone slab seating areas which will be incorporated into the construction of the walls, together with a secure steel Dartmoor letterbox.

Growing Our Future would like to hear the views, comments and suggestions from the Okehampton community regarding the proposed design, its visual appearance and function as a public amenity.

Work on the Gateway Garden is due to start this summer.

Anyone who wants to pass on their views can phone Growing Our Future on 07903 12 11 46 or email [email protected]">[email protected]