AN Okehampton street trader has celebrated with his customers after 21 years of trading in the town.

Alan French from Cullumpton has been selling plants on Fore Street for more than two decades, whatever the weather, and has become something of an Okehampton institution.

Alan's partner Linda, who has been helping on the stall for the last ten years, organised the celebrations, baking cakes and giving customers a celebratory 'tot' of something warming on the cold November morning.

Linda said: 'Al didn't know what I had planned, he's not the sort to celebrate things like this, but I thought we had to celebrate this. Everybody came to join us, all our customers from over the years.

'It was wonderful.'

Town councillor and chairman of Devon County Council Christine Marsh said: 'Alan really is part of our Saturday mornings in Okehampton, but even more than that, he has selflessly helped the town over the years.

'He is always happy to donate prizes for draws and raffles, is happy to give advice, and even helps water the hanging baskets around the town in the summer.'

Alan and Linda thanked all their loyal customers, some of whom have been there since the stall first came to Okehampton 21 years ago.