EASTER bonnets and hot cross buns were in abundance at Okehampton Rotary Club's coffee morning on earlier this month.

More than £500 was raised for local charities at the event, with stalls and a draw for a special Easter simnel cake.

The support of the Okehampton Scouts and Exbourne WI with their own stalls helped to boost the coffers.

Mayor Maureen McDonald had the hard job of judging the Easter bonnets, eventually choosing Mike Luxton's extravagant creation as the winner.

The coffee morning also promoted stroke awareness, offering free blood pressure tests and advice on stroke prevention.

Almost 50 people took advantage of the free tests, with no-one needing referral to their GP.

Club president Sarah Watts said: 'Not only do we raise a magnificent amount for local charities but we had a lot of fun with the addition of the Easter bonnet parade.

'I thank everyone who turned up and helped make this morning such a success.'