Help wanted for Sidmouth skills 'swap shop'

A SIDFORD woman is hoping to plunder the raft of skills and trades held by Sidmouth residents as part of a new scheme.

A SIDFORD woman is hoping to plunder the raft of skills and trades held by Sidmouth residents as part of a new scheme.

Church Street resident Val Davis is on the lookout for new recruits and help in setting up a Local Exchange and Trading Scheme (LETS) for the Sid Valley.

The initiative will see members able to use their skills as currency and exchange services without having to hand over any cash.

Acupuncturist Val, 53, said: "This can involve anything from therapies or plastering, painting, babysitting, or IT to cake making, gardening, shopping,-the list could be endless. It's a great way of making new friends and bringing the community together through sharing skills and encouraging self-reliance.

"In the current economic climate people are reluctant to pay for things and this would be a way of them being able to obtain good and services for no money at all- things people may not usually be able to afford."

Anyone wanting to join the scheme or help Val set it up can contact her at valdavis24@btinternet.com or on (01395) 578050.