WORK to prepare a beautiful woodland footpath in the centre of Okehampton has been completed.

The finishing touches are being put on a deal to allow public access through Clapps Wood, on the bank of the West Okement near the Co-operative store.

The deal has been worked through by Okehampton Town Council, West Devon Borough Council and a private land owner to allow permissive right of way through the wood.

The town council agreed a deal to buy Clapps Wood from the borough council earlier this year for £4,000.

The land had become overgrown with laurel, an invasive plant which contaminates the ground and prevents other plant species from growing.

The hard work of volunteers from the Okement Rivers Improvement Group, and local people who have given their free time, has now cleared the site of laurel trees.

The stumps have been treated by the park keeper, and more than £2,000 worth of dangerous trees have been felled.

As well as tree removal, the volunteers working on the site have put in a path and a wooden fence along the bank.

Town and county councillor and chairman of ORIG Cllr Christine Marsh said: 'The footpath through the wood looks fantastic, and we have so many people to thank for that.

'This project very much shows off the idea of a Big Society, with people working together for the better of the community.

'Volunteers, including people not with the ORIG, have put so much time into this project, and so many local businesses have supported us too.

'Before it can be opened to the public, it is just a case of sorting out the legal side of things.

'It is all strands of society coming together to create something down there for the public to use.

'Once it is open it will be a lovely footpath from Westbridge Close to the bottom of Lodge Hill.'

ORIG expressed thanks to South West Highways, who gave the planings for the path, Eagle Plant Hire for the use of a path roller, Tristan Nott, and all the volunteers who worked to clear the site.

The footpath is expected to open in the near future.