The Totally Locally Axminster traders group is launching a campaign designed to 'put Axminster on the map' as the town comes out of lockdown.

It will lead its push with a dynamic new town centre map for shoppers and visitors which will be available free from April 12 through local shops and also prominently displayed in Trinity Square.

The map has been made possible through support from the East Devon AONB Sustainable Development Fund, delivered locally on behalf of DEFRA (the Department for Environment & Rural Affairs).

The Trinity Square display will, with the kind permission of Boots, take over an old display case that had been much in need of renovation.

A new one is being handmade by Ian Styles, managing director of Axminster Property, as his gift to the initiative.

The idea for the map came from Naomi Eden, owner of the Collate Interiors homewares shop, and has been guided by a small team of Totally Locally Axminster volunteers.

"We think it will be appreciated by visitors and locals alike," said Naomi.

"Our aim was to create a map that would be both useful and beautiful so that people want to keep it beyond their visit.

"Our hope is that it will help to create a sense of pride within this wonderful community and that it will showcase the unique and truly brilliant selection of small independent high street businesses that we have here."

The map has been designed by Bridport-based Delphine Jones who is a specialist in highly visual maps and knows Axminster well.

She has painstakingly illustrated a selection of Axminster's most familiar town centre buildings.

The print has been capably handled by Axminster Printing. While the front face of the map is visual and pinpoints the locations of individual retail businesses and other key facilities, the reverse carries a pictorial guide to the town, its heritage and the wider countryside and other attractions that surround it.

"We are hugely grateful to the East Devon AONB and to Ian Styles for their support," said Naomi.

"We know that a map of this sort will need regular updating to keep up with the changes so we will plan that in for the future."