OUTGOING Mayor, Cllr Janet Rendle has pledged a donation for the Mayor's Charity Fund to support Tiverton Museum's work with dementia sufferers.

Janet will join a visit by the museum to local residential home Margaret Allen House on the May 8 where she will present a cheque.

The museum's Reminiscence Therapy sessions involve using objects from the past to inspire personal memories of the past within groups of older people, often those with dementia.

The therapy has been proven to enhance well-being and health.

The donation will fund the acquisition of historical objects to be used by the service.

Holly Jarrett, the museum's education officer, said: “We are delighted that Janet Rendle has chosen to patronise the museum through the Mayor's charitable fund and support the excellent work of the Education Department in delivering Reminiscence Therapy.

“As one of her last acts as Mayor of Tiverton, this donation will have an ongoing legacy for the local community, with the funds being used to purchase items for our collections of objects used in sessions.

The museum is open February to Christmas and provides extensive permanent displays on the history of Mid Devon, as well as running a lively temporary exhibition programme consisting of displays put on by the museum as well as those featuring local artists and groups.

The museum is family friendly and runs holiday activities.

Children under 16 can enter the museum for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

The museum won Gold Small Visitor Attraction at the Visit Devon Awards 2013 and Bronze Small Visitor Attraction at the South West Tourism Awards 2013/14.