A NEW initiative is under way to improve Okehampton and bring in more tourists, as members of the town council prepare to take to the streets to look at ways to clean up the town.

The Working Group Project, which is set to look at the general upkeep of the town, will focus on blocked drains and litter on the streets.

At a town council meeting last week Cllr Christine Marsh urged councillors to walk around the streets and take note of areas which need to be improved.

Cllr Marsh said she felt disappointed with the amount of litter on the streets.

She said: 'We have become aware of the neglected state of the town and feel that something has to be done about it.

'There is a lot of rubbish in people's gardens and weeds growing in pavements and drains.

'It really boils down to people not caring —people should be noticing and looking out for these things.'

Cllr Marsh said it was time to take action.

She said: 'I think a relevant letter should be sent to Devon County Council, questioning why work is not being done, like the drains which are filled with rubbish.

'When I have walked around the town, I have started to look at it from an outsider's point of view.

'We all walk past things and we don't notice what a beautiful area we live in.

'When we get tourists coming in and looking around, we want them to go away saying how nice things are, for example how clean the toilets are and how well we look after the town.'

Cllr Marsh said she felt strongly about the general maintenance of the town.

She added: 'It's all about keeping on top of things.

'The amount of litter there is in the town is horrendous — every morning there is someone from West Devon coming along and cleaning it up — it shouldn't get that bad every day.

'There are bins in the town for people to use, so why aren't they using them?'

The working group is also looking at a second brochure which markets the facilities for the town hall, the Charter Hall and Simmons Park.

Cllr Marsh added: 'The overall vision would be to market the town as a destination for tourists.

'Okehampton is such a lovely town and we need to do all that we can to keep it as beautiful as possible.'