The annual Jessie Ann Alford fund, administered by Tavistock Town Council, is due to run again this year, more than 50 years since it was set up.

Jessie Ann Alford was the wife of William Charles Alford, a local market keeper, councillor and poor law guardian in the 1920’s.

Mr and Mrs Alford were members of the Plymouth Brethren community, and when Jessie died in 1947 she left £1,000 in trust to the local council.

A scheme was established by which the charity was to benefit spinsters and widows aged 60 and over living in the parish of Tavistock.

The fund has assets of 822 income shares and receives between £300 and £400 of income each year.

The distribution of funds is made just before Christmas each year to a maximum of eight deserving applicants selected by the trustees.

In recent years the number of applicants has decreased significantly so the council would like to bring the charity to the attention of eligible ladies within the town.

Application forms are available from the town council office on Drake Road.

The deadline for applications is Friday November 27.

The successful applicants will receive their cash payment in the week commencing December 14.