STAFF at an Okehampton supermarket have set themselves the challenge of raising as much cash as they can for charity this summer, with a series of events planned during the coming weeks.

The staff at Somerfield, which has now become part of the Co-op, have already set the fundraising bar high — last year they raised £7,500 for Macmillan at the Okehampton branch alone.

Elaine Searle, services manager, said: 'Generally speaking as Somerfield we've supported a different charity every year.

'Obviously we have now changed to the Co-op, and we can now choose the charity ourselves, so we went around the staff and this year we are supporting CLIC for six months, then Children's Hospice South West.

'We like to involve all the different ages of staff and the customers, who are always very good with their support.'

The first fundraising event on the list is a car boot sale, to be held in Somerfield car park in Okehampton this Sunday, May 23, between 9am and 1pm. Cars will be charged £5 in advance, or £6 on the day.

On Saturday, May 29, some brave members of the 80-strong staff at the Okehampton store will be undergoing a sponsored headshave and leg wax — a sight well worth seeing, said Elaine.

'About ten of our male staff have already put their names down to have their heads shaved — they don't seem so keen on the waxing though!' she said.

And on Sunday June 20, staff are turning to pedal power, when they undertake a sponsored cycle ride from Okehampton to Lydford — and back!