THE removal of the Okehampton Millennium Quilt from the Charter Hall has caused 'much distress' to the community group behind the project.

The quilt was made by the 12 members of the Castle Quilters over an 18-month period and presented to the town to mark the millennium. It shows the everyday life of the area at four times of day through the four seasons.

The quilt had hung in the hall for 13 years before it was removed during the building's recent refurbishment work. It has not been re-hung since the hall reopened in February.

The quilters have approached the town council to discuss the issue, and have started a petition to find out how many people in the town want to see the quilt rehung in the hall.

Susan Enderson, of Castle Quilters, said: 'After the recent refurbishment of the Charter Hall, the council made the decision not to rehang the quilt, which has caused much distress. One reason given was that the quilt is a fire risk.

'Castle Quilters have, at their own expense, had the quilt specialist-cleaned and treated, and it now has a fire certificate.

'We believe the people of Okehampton, who the quilt was made for, want to see it back in the Charter Hall.'

As well as creating the petition, the Castle Quilters have written to the council to express disappointment at the decision not to rehang the quilt, and plan to attend the town's annual assembly meeting on Monday, March 25 to discuss the issue with councillors.

Chairman of the council's property committee Cllr Paul Vachon said: 'I've had a lot of people bending my ear about this, and it is something that we are looking to discuss at the assembly. People can come along and find out the latest.

'April 8 is the next council property committee meeting, and we will also be discussing it then. As always our council meetings are open for people to attend.

'At the moment, there are still some refurbishment works ongoing, so that is the reason there is no decision yet, because we need that to be done before we can make a decision.'