A NEW footpath could be on the cards for a beautiful woodland location in the centre of Okehampton.

Okehampton Town Council is to buy Clapps Wood, on the bank of the West Okement near the Co-operative store, from West Devon Borough Council for £4,000.

The land had become overgrown with laurel, an invasive plant which contaminates the ground and prevents other plant species from growing.

However, recent work to remove the laurel by volunteers from the Okement Rivers Improvement Group has greatly improved the site.

Town and county councillor and chairman of ORIG, Cllr Christine Marsh, said: 'This is fantastic news, and we've finally achieved what we have wanted for a long time.

'In order to clear the laurel, we put in a path so our volunteers and the local firm that helped us could have access.

'With that path being there, we got to thinking it would be good to have a permanent footpath through the wood for people to enjoy this piece of land.

'This is a terrific achievement for the group, who have worked extremely hard to improve this area of woodland.

'The permissive footpath will be particularly good for those on the west end of town, who will be able to walk through Clapps Wood to school or into the town.'

A borough council report stated that the sale was in accordance with the council's 'Disposal Strategy, that encourages transfer or sale of surplus or under-used property where possible'.

A valuation of the land in spring last year suggested the 0.6 acre woodland was worth in the region of £10,000 — £12,000.

The town council originally put in an offer of £1 to the borough council, which it argued reflected the value of the voluntary work that had taken place on the site.

The offer was refused by borough councillors.

Borough councillors agreed to the deal at a meeting of the council's strategies and resources committee on Tuesday.