EMPLOYEES at West Devon's biggest social housing provider attended a special race awareness two-day training course held in Tavistock recently.

The training was provided by the award-winning SARI organisation (Support Against Racist Incidents) and follows a similar course attended by West Devon Homes' board members and senior management in the summer.

Lisa Veysey, policy and research officer, said: 'As an organisation we are committed to promoting race equality.

'Although the black and minority ethnic population in West Devon is small compared with other areas of the UK, there is evidence to support that racism is still a real problem and in some cases more so than in major cities.

'In addition, victims are likely to feel more isolated and may find access to support networks more problematic.'

Lisa said as the main provider of social housing in the area, West Devon Homes aimed to increase confidence of its customers by ensuring treatment was fair and equal and any incidents of racial harrassment were dealt with in a swift and firm manner.