A new project to combat loneliness in the town is set to be launched in September.

The OWL (Outstanding With Loneliness) Project is being introduced by Dawlish Town Council's Mental Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Working Group in response to the growing issue of loneliness in the community.

Councillor Carole Tamlyn, chairman of the group, said: "This is a community engagement project with the aim of reaching out, highlighting the issues of loneliness, and with that information, addressing the stigma associated with those feelings in order to start a conversation.

"We have chosen the owl as a symbol because it is associated with wisdom: owls have the ability to look around and see what is happening especially with their large eyes to notice important things. They also have a keen sense of hearing and listening.

"Anyone can join the project and tell us about how they are helping to address loneliness in the community or what they plan to do in the future.

"This could be voluntary organisations, schools, or someone who is being a kind or caring neighbour to a friend (under-18s will need parental permission to participate).

"Participants will receive a certificate and an owl badge, or for voluntary organisations a plaque for outstanding citizenship in building a safe and more caring community."

For more information or if you'd like to take part, please call 01626 863388, email [email protected], or write to The Manor House, Old Town Street, Dawlish, EX7 9AW.