WEST Devon Community and Voluntary Services has increased its availability to volunteers and community groups — despite having to close its permanent office in Tavistock's King Street.

The CVS will be based in Kingdon House, Tavistock, offering sessions for volunteers on Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 2pm. The organisation will retain its office in Okehampton.

West Devon CVS chief officer Karen Nolan said: 'It is with great regret that we have closed the doors to our permanent office in Tavistock. It was proving impossible to sustain fully operational premises in Okehampton and Tavistock within our current funding constraints.

'We have taken this opportunity to look at how we can best deliver our services across the borough, and have come up with a way of providing more flexible access to our services.'

Support for groups and volunteers over the phone has been increased. Those needing support can call from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 3pm. Volunteers can call 0330 660 0357 for any help they need. Groups needing help should call 01837 53392 to speak with a development worker, or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]

If a query cannot be dealt with over the phone, a development worker will be happy to organise a meeting at either a group's premises or the CVS office in Okehampton. Alternatively, meetings in a more convenient place can be arranged over the phone.

Anyone with internet access can find out about local opportunities on http://www.do-it.org.uk">www.do-it.org.uk

The Tavistock office at King Street, not Kingdon House as was stated in last week's Times, has been closed due to financial pressures on the local CVS.