THE weather held out for the annual civic parade which marched through the town from the town hall to Fairplace Church on Sunday.

Okehampton mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies led the parade, accompanied by councillors and members from many local organisations. Cadet, scout and guide groups joined the parade, as did members of Okehampton Lions, Okehampton Rotary, Okehampton Round Table and the Royal British Legion. The Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band provided music for the parade.

A full church listened to the civic service inside Fairplace Church. Methodist superintendent minister Rev Philip Wagstaff led the sermon, with prayers from mayor's chaplain Rev Simon Bourne and a sermon from Rev David Waters of the New Life Church.

Mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'It was a great day, with nice weather all the way round the parade. It rained half an hour before the parade and half an hour after, so it worked out perfectly.

'For me, the best part of the day was to see the church itself packed out. Rev Wagstaff had to come outside to tell me they were struggling to get everybody seated, and it was nice to see so many of the community come out for the occasion.'