SPORTS clubs the length and breadth of West Devon are struggling for survival as they face a massive hike in rates bills for the third year running.

Representatives from clubs in Tavistock and Okehampton have warned the borough council that many groups are in jeopardy.

They say the council's 'cynical withdrawal' of rates relief over the last three years could see the end of 'sport as we know it'.

A delegation met West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett at the weekend to press their case.

Sports club representatives last week had a meeting with borough treasurer Lesley Halton, but they say it resulted in an impasse.

West Devon claims it cannot afford rates relief to sports clubs as it already gives rural relief rate to village shops and post offices.

Spokesman for the Okehampton clubs, Simon Essex, said: 'We know of no other aspect of community life in West Devon or anywhere else which has been subject to tax increases of this level — we think this is bias.

'We must stop these rates bills — we can't cope with another year, we will just go bust. It just shows what resilience the clubs have had to take this on the chin for the last three years.'

The rugby club, small-bore club and bowling club in Okehampton have to find £6,916 this year compared with £1,807 in 1996/7 — representing 93.3 per cent increase per year over three years.

Okehampton Small-bore Club has been forced to put up members' subscription by 60 per cent and 92 per cent of subscriptions now go to pay the club's business rates.

Mr Essex said: 'We have battled over the last three years basically trying to put wrongs right.

'At this stage we do not want to listen to any more arguments — this is all about the survival of sport as we know it.

'Sports representatives have put in hundreds of hours writing loads of letters to the borough council and it is sinful that each year our clubs are faced with the nightmare of massively increased rates.

'Our argument is very simple — sports clubs are paying for rural rate relief — that logic is unescapable not debatable. West Devon has cynically withdrawn rates relief and given it to village shops.'

Mr Essex said the borough council recently created a new post — a sports development officer.

'If taxation of sports clubs continues, we will not need a sports development officer but a resurrection officer. Sports clubs are going to need to make the best comeback since Lazarus.'

Assistant secretary at Okehampton Rugby Club, Ted Cann, said: 'The worst aspect, in my opinion, is that this affects people who help themselves.

'The bowling club took over the green from the town council when it could have been lost altogether. Through their own efforts they have raised the standard to county level. The same goes for the rifle club and my own club which is having a county match this weekend.

'The penalty for raising standards is higher business rates. Really, non-profit sport organisations should not be classed as businesses.

'Any fair-minded person, whether they play sport of not, accepts the colossal part clubs play in providing sport denied to youngsters in school. They should not be in the business rate bracket.'

Mr Burnett met the borough council's chief executive David Incoll and Peter Hill, chairman of the policy and resources committee, on Monday to discuss the problem.

'These clubs have thousands of members and they have been refused proper rate relief,' said Mr Burnett. 'I will move heaven and earth to make sure the clubs survive — I cannot stress enough how important sport is for all, especially the young.

'We are so lucky we have such a number of dedicated people committed to youth training. This voluntary work in our borough cannot undermined — it is so constructive and worthwhile and it could all be lost.

'I cannot emphasise how vital it is the clubs survive — support is of the greatest importance to the community.'

Mr Burnett said there will be a further meeting of representatives of the borough council, Mr Incoll, Lesley Halton, three of four spokesmen for the sports clubs and Mr Hill who is extremely anxious to help.

If the borough council puts in £7,000 of its own money, the government would put in £21,000 added Mr Burnett.

But borough treasurer Lesley Halton said: 'We have absolutely no influence on the way business rates are charged. It is not our fault, the Inland Revenue sets the rateable value and the government sets the rate in the £1. We are simply a collection agency for the government and our budget for next year has been set.

'We are paying more rate relief to sports clubs than ever before as more organisations are applying — so the slices of cakes are thinner.'