THE Co-operative is helping to get feet tapping in the Okehampton area, with a £1,500 donation to a prominent folk and

community arts project.

The award goes to the Okehampton-based Wren Music, towards the cost of a new van. The group hopes to expand its musical activity into more urban housing estates as well as rural isolated areas throughout Devon.

The group's artistic director Marilyn Tucker said: "We now have around 30,000 people taking part in music making activities, most of whom are children. We are very grateful for this generous grant towards the cost of a new van, which we hope in time will allow us to expand our outreach programme of music workshops far and wide."

The Co-operative's Community Fund is part of The Co-operative Group's membership share of profits scheme which allows Co-operative members to donate all or part of their twice-yearly payouts to worthy causes.

The fund offers grants of between £100 and £2,000, with local Co-operative members' committees

allocating awards based on a set of values and principles such as social responsibility and caring for

others. About £200,000 is available annually to

support charities and

community groups in the region. Application forms are available online

"The Community Fund can make a real and lasting contribution to local

communities and we are delighted to support Wren Music. Many community groups share our co-operative values and could

benefit from an award, and we would certainly like to hear from them," said

Co-operative Group regional secretary Andrew North.