TWO interesting postcards of Okehampton from its past have been sent in by local historians Mike and Hilary Wreford.

This evocative 'Daws Series' postcard was produced soon after the Butchers' Market was enlarged at Okehampton in 1900 at a cost of £1,600.

Mike said: 'No less than 39 butchers paraded their produce every Saturday in the Market Hall. Shopkeepers looked forward to Saturday market day, as they could often take as much money on a Saturday as the rest of the week put together!'

The new stalls pictured were of sturdy construction and were still in use more than 70 years later.

Mike, from the Okehampton and District Historical Society, added: 'A buttery and poultry hall had been erected at a cost of £1,000 with an extension in 1893.

'The whole complex of the pannier market was popular in Okehampton and a boon to shoppers and it was sad that it declined over the years.

'Alas, there is no market in the building today as just a few years ago, with great controversy, the ancient Market Hall was converted into a cinema by Okehampton Town Council and market days as we know them are probably gone for ever.'

The second postcard is of Fore St, Okehampton,taken on a Saturday Market Day in about 1924.

The National Provincial Bank of England Ltd (pictured on the right) had just aquired the Okehampton Bank known as Dingley Pearse and Co.

Indicative of the times is the 'tinkers' seen of the left.with all the pots, pans and assorted goods and also the smartly dressed farmers. who so looked forward to Saturdays.

The entrance to the Victorian Arcade can be seen on the right as well as just a few gas street lamps including one outside the town hall.

Mike said: 'There was much controversy when these were changed to electric street lamps in the 1930s with the Okehampton Gas Company advocating that 'electric street lamps' would not be satisfactory in the Dartmoor mists.