A WOMAN from West Devon has won £40 in vouchers as part of a campaign aimed at getting more people interested in re-using unwanted furniture and household appliances.

West Devon Borough Council has been working with Tavistock ReFurnish to promote the benefits of reusing sofas, chairs, tables, washing machines and fridges along with a whole host of other items.

It is part of the council's work to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill to help the environment and save money.

The council and the charity joined forces last month at Okehampton Show to set up a living room display showing the quality and range of second-hand furniture and appliances available.

People were invited to look around and do a short quiz on the benefits of re-using furniture. 

Each participant was entered into a free prize draw to win £40 in vouchers for the Tavistock ReFurnish shop on the Plymouth Road Industrial Estate.

Frances Howard from Weir Quay was picked out as the winner, at random.

She said: 'I was delighted to win, as I am a big fan of recycling and ReFurnish. When I moved house I donated some furniture to ReFurnish and I have also bought some items from them as well.'

ReFurnish accepts donations of unwanted furniture and household appliances which it sells at affordable prices to people on low incomes as well as the general public.

Manager of the Tavistock shop, Roger Bullingham, said: 'This has been an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the quality and range of furniture that can be diverted from landfill.

'It was also clear from talking to local people that our new Okehampton shop which we plan to open in October is much needed and welcomed.

'We hope to encourage more people to donate their old electrical appliances for our engineers to test and repair as we have insufficient stock to meet the demand from people that can't afford to buy new ones.'

The charity also offers training, employment and volunteering opportunities to the long-term unemployed and people with support needs.

For more information call 01822 618822.