CELEBRATION cake, tea and lots of chat were the order of the day in Tavistock last week as the local branch of the Citizens' Advice Bureau celebrated the national charity's diamond anniversary.

Members of staff and volunteers past and present held an informal gathering at Kingdon House and remembered years of advice on subjects as diverse as rationing, legal problems and divorce.

Tavistock CAB has a management committee, four part-time paid members of staff and a total of 15 volunteers.

Susan Cole, deputy manager, said: 'We are very fortunate in Tavistock in having a very loyal staff, we don't get the turnover that some branches have but we're always happy to get more volunteers.

'Statistically, the most common enquiries are things to do with the benefit system. We do a lot of work for people who need to claim disability benefits — for this past year there has been a great deal of employment-related work, to do with holiday legislation, working hours and the minimum wage.'

The Citizens' Advice Bureau was formed in 1939 on the day world war two began — within a month 200 branches had sprung up around the country trying to help families cope with the rigours of wartime Britain.

Now the charity deals with approximately 7.5 million enquiries a year.

Tavistock CAB is open from 10.30am until 1.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and open for phone advice only on Wednesdays.

Tavistock CAB chairman Norman Hurn is pictured cutting the celebration cake with the help of branch manager Margaret Bull.