AS Easter draws closer residents in Okehampton have the opportunity to be the first to buy a 'Real Easter Egg'.

The unique Easter egg, made of Fairtrade chocolate and explaining the meaning of Easter on the box, is making its debut in Okehampton this Saturday (March 19).

For every egg sold, there is a 30p donation to Traidcraft's 'Exchange' programme, helping small-scale farmers and producers in the developing world trade their way out of poverty.

Ten per cent of the profits from the production of the eggs, by the Meaningful Chocolate Company, is donated to the UK charity Baby Lifeline, supporting pregnant women and newborn babies in this country.

The egg is being sold at the monthly market outside St James' Church in the centre of Okehampton, by a group called Just Living, who are donating all the retail profits from their sales to the work of Christian Aid.

Buying Fairtrade chocolate means farmers and growers in developing countries get a fair price, plus investment in community programmes like education and health.

Just Living is a new joint project between the 'fresh expressions' movement of the Anglican and Methodist Churches and Christian Aid.

Its aim is to foster an active form of Christian faith, pursuing justice in the world.

The Okehampton group is the first in the country to be formed.

Further information will be available on the market stall.