OKEHAMPTON division of St John Ambulance will be in town on Saturday, September 4 in the Red Lion Yard from 10am, looking for new members and giving out information on its organisation and the training it offers.

St John is a voluntary organisation providing first aid cover at events, as well as training to all.

The division runs on donations and funds raised from attending events such as the Battle of the Bands, Chagstock, Ten Tors and a multitude of other types of event.

Ben Longhurst-Prior from its operations team said: 'Okehampton division is proud of having a good attendance to all the main events that happen around the Okehampton area and with the new headquarters open now on the Exeter Road Industrial Estate, we can now offer more opportunities for all.'

The division caters for adults, an active cadet division for 9 to 16 year-olds, allowing them to not only learn first aid but also many other skills and fun activities.

The cadets have been working on their casualty simulation make-up skills lately, learning to simulate injuries on people to allow training to be as realistic as possible.

Run by divisional officer Kevin Cozens, the cadets meet on a Wednesday from 6pm to 7.30pm — anyone interested will be welcome.

For those younger, St John Ambulance offers a badger group for 5 to 9 year-olds. This group will allow children to learn many new skills and teach the basic knowledge of first aid in a fun way, with lots of games and fun things to do. There are awards and badges to gain along the way making it a great challenge.

The Badger group is run by youth leader Karen Sawyer-Coles and meets on a Wednesday from 5pm till 6.15 pm.

St John Ambulance is looking for new members to join its adult group.

Ben said: 'You don't need a knowledge of first aid, or to be medical in any way, as we offer a comprehensive training structure, allowing you to gain valuable experience in first aid.

'Our members attend a variety of events all across the area. Run by divisional superintendent Dot Kaines, our division last year was awarded division of the year in North Devon. This award is something we are proud of and would like to continue to hold the award in the future.'

Anyone interested in joining is invited to pop along any Wednesday from 7.30pm onwards.