OKEHAMPTON'S two loyal macebearers are to attend a conference in Exeter as a sign of thanks for their 30 years of loyal service.

Okehampton Town Council will pay for Basil Jones and Dave Hollinshead to attend the Guild of Mace-bearers' national conference in Exeter next February.

It is the first time the national conference has been held in the south west for a number of years, and provides both Basil and Dave the chance to meet up with mace-bearers from across the country and attend conferences on mace-bearing.

Town mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'Based on the number of years that they have given our town dedicated service, and the amount of time they have given up for Okehampton to carry out these duties, this is something we can do in recognition of that.'