RESIDENTS of Shebbear will shortly receive a questionnaire asking them what they would like to see in their communities in terms of sports activities.

The village is one of five parishes in the second phase of the Devon Active Villages initiative, managed by Torridge District Council, aimed at improving people's rates of participation in physical activity and sport in rural areas.

Members of the community in Hartland have been receiving tuition in Tai Chi as part of the programme which targets all ages from primary school children to retired age groups.

It works in three stages: by asking local communities what they would like in terms of sporting activities, by providing support to 'kick start' these activities and opportunities and by supporting people within their communities to sustain the opportunities.

So far, activities such as boxing, archery, pilates, table tennis, netball, street dance, bowls and basketball have all been available for residents in phase 1 of the programme.

James Jarroudi, Torridge's health and recreation officer said: 'The money has already been allocated to these parishes but it is imperative that communities themselves decide how it should be spent, this way we can guarantee that the aspirations of the villages are addressed and the likelihood of sustained participation is more realistic.'

For more information on the Active Villages programme, call Torridge Council's culture and leisure team on 01237 428743 or see http://www.torridge.gov.uk/activevillages">www.torridge.gov.uk/activevillages