A GOVERNMENT funded project is helping West Devon Borough Council use text messaging (SMS) to communicate with the public. The council has benefited from extra money via the office of the Deputy Prime Minister?s e-innovation fund to implement new ways to get in touch. The text messaging will be used to notify the public of interesting events. This is not an advertising service sending indiscriminate information, but a scheme that will respond to the options the user will choose when registering on the project?s website at http://www.ruralsms.org.uk">www.ruralsms.org.uk Once your mobile is registered you can decide what you receive notification for. Examples include sports events, arts events, planning applications information and even notification of unforeseen disruption to normal services. Cllr Jane Waterhouse, one of the council?s e-government champions, said: ?I am delighted to see that the council is pioneering new technologies, especially those with the potential to improve our customer service, and to communicate better with the public. ?This pilot will help find efficient ways to engage residents, businesses, and visitors.? Pierre Morel, West Devon?s e-governmentprogramme manager, said: ?This is a pilot that provides an opportunity for us to investigate the use of text messaging between the council and residents or visitors. ?We want to use this medium to help us get in touch with the public, and allow council information to be shared more efficiently. ?Text messaging can be a useful complement to usual communication ? for example, it allows people to be kept informed when they might otherwise have missed a general advert.? This service is only available if you register ? registration and notification services are free for the duration of the pilot. To register, you need to go onto the following website: http://www.ruralsms.org.uk">www.ruralsms.org.uk You can also contact the council using text: Just send a message to 07624804164 ? your mobile provider costs apply. Your feedback will be appreciated in whatever form, including e-mail, through the project online forum at http://www.ruralsms.org.uk">www.ruralsms.org.uk or of course by text.