A CAMPAIGN to instil pride back in Okehampton has begun thanks to the Chamber of Trade and the town’s mayor.

Volunteers stepped up to the plate and tidied an area of the industrial estate on Hameldown Road after a businessman mentioned that the area around his new premises looked sadly neglected.

It took Okehampton Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey and Cllr Christine Marsh, Rob and Mish Flexman and Lyndsay Harrison, just over two hours to fill a skip with rubbish, including the flower heads of poisonous ragwort.

Cllr Goffey said: ‘If everyone in town volunteered to clear up a tiny portion of their street, pick up the litter, remove the weeds and wash down any street signs, the town could be transformed. Instead of moaning how your neighbour’s garden looks, offer to help them!

‘If we all take pride in how our town looks then in no time at all, it will reflect that pride.

‘The Chamber of Trade is responsible for our lovely hanging baskets, the banners for different events and of course, the amazing Christmas Lights — but that’s only the centre of town. It needs community spirit to ripple out and involve everyone.’

Cllr Goffey added that people are invited to join in a litter pick with either Okehampton Rivers Group and the local primary school, which are held several times a year.