aENHANCEMENT work taking shape in Okehampton Town Centre is rubbing off on local businesses, according to Mayor of Okehampton Christine Marsh.

Cllr Marsh, who has been trying to build up a sense of town ownership amongst the community, said the tide was turning but there was still some way to go.

'Usually I am having a whinge but this time I think the town deserves praise,' she said. 'There is no doubt Okehampton has been looking a little tired and neglected but it is starting to look better.

'The clock has been painted, pubs and shops have repainted their facades — hopefully, a few others will follow suit.'

The town is getting a face-lift with new street lighting, street furniture, heritage features and sculpture but Cllr Marsh said it was important that enhancement reached every business.

'There is lots we can do ourselves to make the town attractive to visitors — a general tidy up would do it the world of good,' she said.

The Mayor added that so many good things were happening in the town — people were working hard to bring cultural events to the area and fundraising for the local hospital and other causes was bringing the community together.

A performance by a Viennese ballet troupe at Great Bidlake Manor in Bridestowe and a Noel Coward evening at Okehampton Camp were just two of the events she had attended recently and rated very highly.

'The Noel Coward evening together with the Captain's Charity Golf Day at Okehampton Golf Club and a strawberry tea at Northlew raised nearly £10,000 for the new hospital which I think is fantastic,' she said.