A CAMPAIGN to build a new Guide Hall in Okehampton begins in earnest this week and the committee needs your help.

The 30-year-old existing hut at North Road, which has not been used for a year because of its poor state and is no longer repairable due to vandalism over the summer months, is being demolished this week.

A new premises for the guides, brownies and rainbows has been talked about for many years but there is a new momentum now the old hut is going.

Brownie and Rainbow leader Jackie Reynolds said: 'We have just formed a new committee and everyone is very keen to see this happen.

'Our five units have been meeting in the Ockment Centre, the New Life and All Saints Church over the past year and we would all like to be back in one premises.

'We are also paying rent on the places so a lot of the money is being used from subs that could be going back into the organisation.'

The Guide movement in Okehampton caters for 80 members at the moment from the ages of 5 to 25 and is continuing to grow.

Jackie said: 'We hope members of our community will be able to help and support us with this task. It's been on the cards for a long time but with the way things are at the moment it is just not possible to have the elaborate building that we originally planned.

'We are now thinking of having a pre-fabricated building which we will just have to do the groundwork for. As long as we have a good size hall, a kitchen and toilets that is all we need at the moment. We can keep fundraising afterwards for other things.'

Planning permission has already been obtained for a new premises and the timescale for fundraising and getting the building up and running is two years.

The cost of the build is not yet known but Jackie is urging people who have fundraising ideas or want to join the committee to let her know.

'Anything is gratefully received,' she said. 'If someone does something small and raises £50, it is £50 we have not got.'

To add your support contact Jackie Reynolds on 01837 52588 or Nicki Ferris on 01837 54482.