WEST Devon Citizens Advice Bureau last week celebrated 70 years of providing advice, by re-enacting a wartime scene.

Staff and volunteers from the charity dressed as land army girls and CAB advisors of the period and delivered advice and information from a horse box with the kind permission of Hatherleigh Market.

Later in the morning they were joined in the celebration by members of the Hatherleigh section of the Royal British Legion.

On display were various tools and artifacts that would have been used in 1939, as well as original CAB photographs and wartime recipes.

Mandy Kenyon, development officer for the charity said, after war broke out in 1939, 200 bureaux opened their doors to the public from various locations one of which was a horsebox.

Mandy said: 'They were ready to answer queries on all subjects including what to do when the main bread winner was called up for duty.

'Citizens' Advice, also used its evidence at this time to campaign for extra cheese rations for gardeners as previously only agricultural workers had been eligible.'

Jane Wimberley, West Devon CAB visiting officer, said: 'Many people visited our horsebox and gave us their memories of war time and the problems they and their families faced.

'We were also able to give advice on modern day problems to any clients who called in.'

West Devon Citizens Advice Bureau currently provides advice twice a month at Hatherleigh Market as part of its Big Lottery Funded outreach and home-visiting project.

'As well as giving us the opportunity to celebrate 70 years of providing life changing advice, our horse box bureau helped us to remind people of the services that we can provide today,' added Mandy.

For details of opening hours telephone 01837 52574.