Seaton is stepping up its campaign to be recognised as a dementia friendly community.

The town council is spearheading the initiative by setting up a special steering group.

Called Dementia Friends Seaton (DFS), the organisation is planning to encourage hundreds of local people to pledge their support.

During the national Dementia Awareness Week, there will be an information session at Seaton Tesco in Harbour Road between 11am and 2pm tomorrow (Thursday, May 18).

The aim of the session will be to give further information about dementia and advertising free information sessions to learn more.

A spokeswoman for the town council told the Herald: “We hope to have 1,500 new dementia friends this year.

“We are asking everyone in Seaton to give an hour of their time to attend a free, fun information session on dementia.

“If you are interested in becoming more involved, that would be fantastic.”

The three planned information sessions will be held at the town council’s offices at Marshlands, in Harbour Road, on:

Tuesday, June 6, at 7pm;

Tuesday, July 4, at 2pm;

Thursday, September 7, at 7pm.

The town council spokeswoman added: “ If you belong to a group or other organisation and would like a Dementia Champion to come along to one of your meetings to provide an information session, please contact Seaton Town Council.

“We welcome new members to join us. If you have a passion for helping people who have dementia in our community, please contact Seaton Town Council by telephoning 01297 21388 or emailing admin@seaton.gov.uk for more information.”

Dementia is a broad umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders.

There are many different types of dementia and some people may present with a combination of types.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.

Other towns in East Devon have formed groups to achieve similar aims, with Axminster, Colyton and Honiton all having their own Dementia Action Alliances.

There is also an alliance of coastal towns including Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth.