There used to be a rich tradition of straw bale building in the region

The group, called Common Sense Solutions, has won £9,000 of lottery money for the project.

As part of the scheme the group has built an experimental straw bale building at Tapeley Park at Instow.

There used to be a rich tradition of straw bale and cob building in the South West but the centuries-old techniques have almost disappeared.

Environmentally sustainable

It is a method which can be used to construct anything from small huts to big family homes.

As a building material straw is cost efficient and environmentally sustainable.

The group say these techniques could provide an answer to the shortage of affordable housing in north Devon because self-building can be cheaper than conventional building.

An exhibition of the project is touring north Devon to encourage people struggling to get on the housing ladder to give the idea a go.