OKEHAMPTON is celebrating an increase in footfall with more visitors to the town’s museum and tourist information point.

The Museum of Dartmoor Life and tourist information point, which is situated in the reception area, has seen a significant increase of visitors this season.

Recent reports from the Museum of Dartmoor Life to the town council show that there has been increased footfall through the building.

The museum took control of the information centre following the decision by West Devon Borough Council in April 2013 to cease funding in both the Okehampton and Tavistock centres.

The borough council axed its financial support for the centres three years ago in order to help plug a £728,000 hole in the council’s 2013/14 budget. However, the significant cut in funding has seemingly not affected business.

The increased number of visitors to the tourist information point was said to have the potential to have a knock-on effect to the businesses and productivity of the town as a whole, due to the fact the centre stocks leaflets about local attractions, maps, guidebooks and offers streams of information about the town’s current facilities and local businesses.

Town mayor Cllr Jan Goffey said: ‘The marketing of the town has been much better this season hence why we have perhaps seen more people visiting the town.

‘There have been significant efforts made to increase our social media presence, by taking to platforms such as Twitter to promote the town.

‘There are so many things to see and do in Okehampton, and being on the edge of Dartmoor we have lots to offer. For example the cycle routes and paths have enticed more people to the town, I have particularly noticed an increase of cyclists and walkers in the town.’

Trustees of the Museum of Dartmoor Life have had a busy few weeks preparing for the next exhibition as well as deliberating on a new manager.

Debbie Pritchard, chair of trustees, said: ‘We are very pleased to announce that we have appointed Keri Quertier as the new manager at the Dartmoor Life Museum. She matched the criteria for the role, has an excellent background and will work to a high standard.’

The museum’s summer exhibition of the work by Okehampton Primary School has also been very successful this summer. A spokesperson for the museum said that many people had stopped off to admire the artwork created by the local children.

The exhibit featured paintings, sculptured and 3D textile works inspired by the rivers and wildlife of Dartmoor. The children worked with the National Decorative and Fine Arts Society, local ceramicist Susan Eckles and artist-in-residence Luna Fae Burrell on the theme of the ‘Two Rivers’.

The World War One art and poetry books from the school’s first exhibition has also proven popular, with many members of the community purchasing a copy.