SAMPFORD Courtenay Village Hall's refurbishment and extension project and Okehampton's wonderful Christmas lights are the two latest projects to benefit from Waitrose's Community Matters scheme.

The scheme, where customers choose which charity they would like to support using green tokens, has donated £595 to Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade towards their Christmas lights and £160 to support the refurbishment of the Sampford Courtenay's hall.

Donald Rooke of the town's chamber of trade, and one of the main organisers behind the town's wonderful Christmas lights display, said: 'Thank you to Waitrose for their support with this, and also thank you to all the businesses and groups like the Lions who support our lights, and the council.

'A big thank you also to the general public who have given donations toward the lights.

'It costs around £2,500 each year to maintain and replace the Christmas lights, so this support is very much appreciated.'

The donation to Sampford Courtenay Village Hall is the latest donation received as part of a huge fundraising effort that has seen £60,000 raised for the hall through grants and private donations.

Sandra Harper, chair of the village hall committee, said: 'The extension project will see the hall get a new kitchen, a bigger meeting room and more storage, and will be wonderful when the work has been done.

'The kitchen is essentially unusable as it is, what with the damp and having to clean it every time it is used.

'The refurbishment should see us get more lettings and bookings, and make the hall more user friendly.'

If you are interested in using Sampford Courtenay Village Hall for a function, call Sandra on 01837 82090.

If your organisation could benefit from the Community Matters scheme, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] or enquire at the customer help desk in the store.