ADVICE services in Tavistock and Okehampton, providing people with an 'essential lifeline', have had their long-term future safeguarded.

West Devon Citizens' Advice Bureau, which serves the entire borough, has merged with Torridge, North Devon and Mid Devon CAB to form one large CAB charity and company limited by guarantee — the Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon Citizens' Advice Bureau.

With Coalition Government funding cuts hitting many organisations, the two groups have merged to safeguard their future for the coming years.

Talks regarding the merger have been ongoing for more than 18 months. Funders, staff and volunteers were all consulted before the merger was made official, and have endorsed the decision. Both CAB boards voted unanimously to merge.

West Devon CAB bureau manager Barbara Osborne, said the move will 'give both bureaux enormous strength', and should allow the new bureau to draw down more funding for the area.

She said: 'I've been helping to provide a CAB service in West Devon for 27 years. If I've learned anything it is that CAB provides support and guidance for some people, but is an essential lifeline for many others.

'I genuinely believe that our merger will make for a stronger bureau presence in West Devon so we can continue being here for everyone who needs us.

'The service will be unchanged and no-one will notice that we've merged — we're not moving or cutting our opening hours but a wider governance and operational base will bring benefits at both financial and operational levels.'

Tavistock Town Council's West Devon CAB representative Dick Eberlie said: 'We support the merger in the understanding that the services to people in Tavistock will not in any way suffer and hope very much that it will be improved. We hope the new merged CAB will be stronger and will be more successfully financed.

'CAB is really important and provides vital services to help the people of Tavistock with their problems. We really couldn't do without it. It needs firm support from the community, the local services and the Government.'

Trustees of West Devon CAB have stood down after a long and dedicated service, while three of the trustees have become trustees of the new board.

Trustees of West Devon CAB have stood down after a long and dedicated service, while three have become trustees of the new board.

The retiring chair of West Devon CAB Noel Cartwright said: 'As a charity dependant on fundraising, our future was no longer certain in this difficult financial climate.

'We began addressing the long-term survival of our service in West Devon almost two years

ago and have now reached this point of joining two strong CABs to form a solid base from which to go forward.'

All ten paid members of part-time staff employed by West Devon CAB have had their employment transferred to the new bureau. All West Devon's 40 volunteers will remain in place.

John Silver, who will act as the new chairman of the merged bureau, said: 'Both West Devon CAB and Torridge, North Devon and Mid Devon CAB have taken a very important step to ensuring the future of the CAB in the four districts it now covers. This is a momentous occasion, which has taken a lot of hard work by all concerned.'

The CAB provides free, impartial and confidential advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. They deliver these advice services from over 3,500 locations in England and Wales, run by 382 individual charities.

As well as receiving funding from Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council, the CAB has to generate money through grant applications.

If you would like to volunteer with CAB e-mail Mandy Kenyon on the website [email protected]">[email protected]

For more information on CAB in West Devon, visit http://www.westdevoncab.org.uk">www.westdevoncab.org.uk or call the CAB advice line on 08444 111444.