HOPE is on the horizon — that is the message from traders, councillors and business leaders in Okehampton as the town prepares to fight back after recent redundancies.

A package of skills training has been agreed, council figures and business leaders are promoting the unique benefits Okehampton has to offer, and local traders say the town remains very much open for business.

As benefit payments and redundancy money start to arrive for workers made redundant over the past two months, the number of families relying on the town's Foodbank fell to 17 last week, from the 50 of previous weeks.

Ian Bailey, chair of Okehampton Chamber of Trade, said the town now needed to focus on getting back on its feet:?'We are a thriving town with a fantastic location and some excellent small traders.

'Okehampton is not a clone high street, and because we've got these small independent traders we can offer a better range of quality goods, and a better standard of service than you would get on other high streets. That is something we should be out there promoting.'

Tim Jones, chair of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, warned against premature optimism and said the town desperately needed to focus on attracting new businesses.

'Amongst other things, we need to ensure the planning process is favourable for new businesses wanting to develop in the town, and that we build on the brilliant transport link provided by the A30 by developing the crucially under-exploited rail link with Exeter.

'Okehampton has a lot going for itself, but we need long term strategies to grow, improve and promote the town for future enterprise and investment.'

A recent meeting led by Devon County Council focused on developing skills and training in Okehampton, in order to attract new firms, as well as help existing employers develop.

A skills initiative will provide both general and specific training, including a specific skills package for young people. A business advocate and community engagement workers will also be appointed, and a supply chain survey is being carried out to assess the impact of the recent factory closures on local businesses.

Robert Plumb, regeneration officer for West Devon Borough Council, said: 'The meeting was a great success and showed a great number of key players coming together to do all we can to help.

'The community and local agencies have been fantastic in the short term, but ultimately we are now looking into how we can help in the long term. Going forwards, the development of employment skills, expansion of business, and improvement of business and transport infrastructure in Okehampton — particularly the rail link — will be key.'

Manager of OK Leisure and Foodbank volunteer Andrew Morgan said the national media attention had been a double-edged sword for the town:?'The national press has not always been accurate in its reporting, to put it politely, but it has meant our town has been profiled at a much higher level.

'I know that some people offering holiday accommodation say bookings are up on last year, so that gives hope to other business owners like myself who rely on the tourists in the summer.

'Whilst things might be tough at the moment, there is hope on the horizon, and I think that's the overall message for Okehampton.'

The media interest surrounding Okehampton also brought the town to the attention of Employment Minister Chris Grayling, who said areas like Okehampton could benefit from policies including superfast broadband and new business grants.