Retired Patricia and Richard Wells from Upottery have won a free family 'Golden' ticket to 43 of the county's top attractions after a Recycle Devon prize draw.

All entrants had to do was click onto Recycle Devon's website and pledge to recycle and reuse over Christmas.

The website not only gives detailed information on what people can put in their recycling bins, it gives handy tips on what to do with unwanted items and waste food.

Nearly 1,600 people registered their details which automatically entered them into a prize draw to win the Golden Ticket worth over £2,000.

The Golden Ticket was presented to Patsy and Richard at Wildwood Escot by councillor Andrea Davis, the chairman of the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee (DASWC) and chairman of Devon's Top Attractions, Dick Wood.

Patricia said: "We have always been a family of carers for the planet and pick litter up from the lanes around our village.

"This came as a completely unexpected yet very pleasant surprise. This Golden Ticket will make us take time out from our busy lives, to get to know our county more thoroughly and treat our grandchildren."

Councillor Andrea Davis, the chairman of DASWC said: "Congratulations to Patricia and Richard, two keen recyclers who can now look forward to enjoying their days out. I encourage residents to click onto the Recycle Devon website, a fantastic resource which tells you what you need to know about recycling and reuse in Devon."

Dick Wood said: "We are very happy to help encourage Devon residents to reuse and recycle and fully support the 'Don't let Devon go to waste' message. We hope that Patricia and Richard enjoy their 43 days out."

Recycle Devon is a countywide waste communications campaign which represents a partnership of 10 authorities across Devon including Devon County Council, 8 District Authorities and Torbay Council. For more information visit: www.recycledevon.org.

Picture: From left to right – DCC Liz Jarvis, councillor Andrea Davis and Charlie Fairchild, winners Patricia and Richard Wells, Devon's Top Attractions chairman Dick Wood.