AN innovative idea which could see a new-look tourist information service for Okehampton provided with the local museum is being explored.

West Devon Borough Council is working with the Museum of Dartmoor Life, local businesses and organisations to develop an alternative way to provide good quality information for tourists.

In April this year, borough councillors reluctantly decided to cease funding both Okehampton and Tavistock Tourist Information Centres.

The move will help save the council around £50,000 a year and bring West Devon into line with neighbouring authorities where tourist information services are no longer run by councils.

At a workshop hosted by the borough council in July, the Museum of Dartmoor Life came up with the idea of exploring whether it could take over the management of the Tourist Information Centre on its premises in West Street.

It could be staffed by volunteers who would be trained with the help of the council. Other ideas from organisations at the workshop included plans for an interactive tourist information screen at Waitrose, and a website where visitors can book accommodation and tickets.

Cllr Robert Oxborough, the borough council's community services chairman, said: 'I am very impressed with the ideas generated at the workshop. This is an exciting and innovative approach to a challenge and I think, ultimately, it could provide a first class service for Okehampton.

'Unfortunately, we have had to make tough choices about discretionary services in order to overcome a substantial budget gap next year due to cuts in our Central Government grant.

'Sadly, that means funding for Tourist Information Centres is no longer available. We are pleased, however, that local businesses and organisations have joined in the discussions about alternatives.'

Museum manager Andrew Thompson said: 'We are pleased that our idea has been so positively received.

'There is an obvious affinity between the museum's aim to become a centre of lifelong learning about Dartmoor and providing an information point for tourists and the community.

'If we can resolve the considerable practical challenges, especially funding, this could be an exciting opportunity which benefits visitors, local businesses and residents.'

The borough council will now work with the museum and the other partners to look at the business viability of the idea and how training might be developed for the volunteers over the next nine months.