OKEHAMPTON Town Council has pledged its support to both the town's Christmas lights and the ongoing maintenance of a town chapel.

The council pledged to support maintenance work on the clock of St James' Chapel on Fore Street with the release of a £500 grant, and will support the Okehampton Chamber of Trade with around £4,000 for the organisation to purchase Christmas lights for the town. The organisation will then reimburse this money to the council once the money has been raised by Chamber of Trade members.

Mayor of Okehampton Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'St James' Chapel is a key feature of the town high street, right in the heart of Okehampton.

'It is a good thing that the council supports the maintenance and upkeep of this important and historic building.

'Also I feel it is particularly important to ensure the tower is in a good condition, as I am abseiling down it next week to raise funds for Room 13, and I am petrified of heights!'

The maintenance of St James' Chapel's clock follows an extensive refurbishment project in 2011. The clock tower was the main point of focus, with the reinstatement of the traditional curfew bell, repairs to the clock faces, and the installation of an automatic clock re-start system following power cuts.

Further external maintenance includes repairing and repainting rainwater goods and guttering. Internal work includes repairs to plaster work and redecoration, replacement of pew seating and repairs to furniture.

The work was made possible by funding from Okehampton United Charity, which donated almost £10,000 to the project.

The ongoing maintenance will help to keep the newly refurbished clock in top condition.

Each year, the Chamber of Trade organises the town's Christmas lights display. The lights were switched on for the first time on Monday night, after Chamber of Trade members set them up on Sunday. The money from the council will allow the organisation to renew the cross-street fixings.

Neither of these donations came from the council's grant aid funding.

At the beginning of the financial year, the council allocated £12,000 to be distributed to organisations and charities benefitting the community. Councillors regularly review grant applications, and make a conscientious effort to spread the money as fairly and wisely as possible.

If your organisation would like to apply for grant aid, visit the town hall or call 01837 53179.