A FAMILIAR face will soon be pounding the rural beat in and around Holsworthy.

PC Andy Moakes (pictured right) is set to take over as the Holsworthy rural neighbourhood beat manager after a three year stint as a patrol officer.

He said: "I have been a serving officer since 1997. I am Devonian by birth and have grown up in North Devon and as a result I have developed a good local knowledge of the area. I live locally and am looking forward to working within the rural communities to make Holsworthy rural a safer place for everyone."