THANKS to cash pledges from the people of Okehampton contracts have been exchanged to purchase 20 acres of woodland for the community.

The Woodland Trust confirmed this week that the money had been found to buy the privately-owned woodland adjacent to Simmons Park and preserve it for future generations.

A plea went out to the community in October last year to help make up the £15,471 shortfall needed by the charity to go ahead with its plan. The total cost to purchase and manage the ancient woodland was £59,100.

Regional development officer Ben Earl said with the pledges from the local people which ranged from £1 to £100 and funding from other sources including Devon County Council, it now meant that the dream had become a reality.

'We were absolutely delighted with the response from the community and we received something like £3,000 in total in way of pledges,' he said.

'The people of Okehampton have shown great vision and we look forward to working with the community to safeguard this piece of woodland for the future.'

Mr Earl said the people who made pledges would now be asked to send in their cheques and the next stage would be to have a design meeting with them and other members of the community to discuss the way forward.

The Woodland Trust, which is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, said the site was under threat in terms of conservation because of the way it had been managed.

The charity's aim is to improve the habitat for wildlife and bring benefits to the landscape, conservation and recreation. It plans to make the woodland more accessible by creating paths and walkways and possibly bringing a bridge back into use.

In November time residents will be invited to help plant up a one acre plot by the river which comes under the 'Woods on Your Doorstep' Millennium scheme.

Sidney Thompson of Okehampton OK said it was very gratifying to see this project come to fruition.

'This means the wood will be in safe hands forever and properly managed,' he said. 'It is very exciting for the town.

'The people of Okehampton should be proud of themselves that they have helped this project become a reality.'