AGE Concern Okehampton and Torridge is celebrating its 21st birthday in style next week.

The organisation was first registered with the Charity Commission in June 1992 and is celebrating its work and achievements with a party on Tuesday, June 25 at the Ockment Centre.

The charity is run entirely by volunteers and spends most of its income in West Devon. Twenty volunteers gave in excess of 5,100 hours in the last year to help older people live independently in the area. The volunteers come from all over West Devon. Presentations will be made to the volunteers who so generously give up their time.

Since its inception 21 years ago, more than £600,000 has been raised. Over half of Age Concern Okehampton and Torridge's work is funded by individual donations.

There will be a short presentation on the way the charity has grown in the past year, illustrating the increased workload it now undertakes. Waitrose will present a cheque for £641 raised by their Community Matters scheme. Mayor of Okehampton, Cllr the Rev Mike Davies, will be in attendance. In the past year, more than 23,400 enquiries have been made to the charity, via its website, e-mails, phone calls and personal visits. More than 300 home visits were made and 1,700 older people made visits to the charity's services.

Chief officer Barrie Duke will also introduce the vision for the future of additional premises in the town centre that can offer mobility support and equipment, for sale and hire, across the area.

The party starts at the Ockment Centre at 2pm. All are welcome to attend.