MAYORS of towns from across Devon will come to Okehampton later this month, as part of the annual civic parade through the town.

This year's civic service and parade is being held on Sunday, June 30.

The parade will gather in Fore Street outside the town hall at 10.10am, with the procession passing along East Street, turning into Mill Road and on to Fairplace Church. This year the parade commander will be staff sergeant Richard Boyce, and the event will be led by the Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band.

On arriving at the church, the civic service starts at 10.30am, conducted by Rev Philip Wagstaff, Methodist superintendent minister, and Rev Simon Bourne, the mayor's chaplain.

This year will see a significant change in the parade as the Okehampton mayor, Cllr Rev Mike Davies has invited mayors from many other Devon towns to join in the parade.

The new mayor of West Devon, Cllr Bill Cann OBE, will also be involved.

Cllr The Rev Davies said: 'I am delighted to say that many of the mayors from surrounding towns have confirmed that they will be in attendance.

'It will be good to see a slightly different format to the parade. I am keen that we continue to build the parade which has taken place for many years in Okehampton.'

The mayor of Okehampton has also encouraged the visiting mayoral parties to attend the 'log struggle' event being organised in Simmons Park on Sunday, June 30 by Okehampton Lions Club.

Following the church service, the parade will leave Fairplace Church and march back along Mill Road. The mayor, town councillors and visiting mayors will then take up position outside St James' Chapel for the march past as the parade assembles in Fore Street.

The parade will finish just after the playing of the national anthem.

There will be a road closure in Fore Street, East Street and Mill Road during the parade.

All are welcome to attend the church service, and people are encouraged to line the streets and show their support for many of the town's organisations and voluntary groups, as well as enjoy the music of the town band.