A CAMPAIGN to help people on low incomes in West Devon claim their full entitlement to government benefits is being launched next week.

The scheme is particularly timely in addressing the plight of rural communities hit by foot and mouth including farming families and people working in tourism and leisure.

Similar campaigns in other parts of Devon over the past two years have allowed people to claim well over £1-million of additional benefits.

The West Devon Benefits Take-Up Campaign will be jointly launched by Devon County Council's deputy executive chairman for social affairs and health, Coleen Herriman, who is also an Okehampton councillor, and the mayor of West Devon, Christine Grills, at noon at the Ockment Centre, Okehampton, on April 26.

It is estimated more than £50-million a year in Government benefits goes unclaimed in Devon.

But average earnings in Devon are 20 per cent below the UK average, the county is the second lowest in the country's earnings table and half the population of Devon earn below the European low pay rate.

The benefits campaigns are led by a partnership of local agencies including Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council and local Primary Care Trusts.

They aim to tackle the issue of rural deprivation by helping people on low incomes claim their rightful entitlement to Government benefits.

They also try to raise awareness of people's entitlements to benefits and improve access to information and advice through a range of statutory and voluntary agencies.

Cllr Herriman said: 'I am very pleased we have been able to bring the campaign to West Devon at this important time.

'Thousands of pounds worth of benefits are currently going unclaimed in the area. This is money to which the elderly, the disabled and their carers and those on low incomes are legally entitled.

'The current foot and mouth outbreak is also affecting local farmers and those involved in tourism very badly. I am pleased to see the campaign will therefore be trying to help with information and advice about what financial support may be available through the benefits system.

'We need to get the message across loud and clear that this is money to which people are perfectly entitled and should be claiming.

'Not only can this improve the quality of life for individuals it also puts vital extra money into the local economy too."

Cllr Grills said the campaign was an initiative that the borough council fully supported.

'This will help so many people in our borough — particularly those affected by the foot and mouth outbreak which is taking a very heavy toll on the economy of West Devon.

'There are those who find it difficult to ask for help and those who have no idea that help is available. I hope this campaign reaches them all and makes a real difference to their lives.'