ADVICE services in Okehampton and Tavistock 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.'

Okehampton and West?Devon Borough Cllr Tony Leech, a long-term advocate of the CAB, said: 'Like everything, most companies are having to look at their structure and potentially merge with others to stay solvent.

'It should give them a better chance to get grant funding that they could not get before as a smaller bureau. It is not only a sensible move, but an essential one.

'CAB is absolutely crucial to people in Okehampton. Even before the recession there was a constant stream of people using the service. In the last couple of years it has been an avalanche. It is absolutely crucial to Okehampton and Devon as a whole.

'I just want to see Government funding spent better, rather than organisations like the CAB having to go for grants. These vital services should be government funded.'

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