THE newly-refurbished JobCentre Plus office in Tavistock was officially re-opened yesterday, (Wednesday).

Staff at the new Tavistock office will be able to offer clients a fully integrated service, including advice on jobs and benefits, all under one roof.

The new office has re-opened after being closed for six weeks for refurbishment, and is one of the first new JobCentre Plus offices to be opened in Devon.

The new service offers personal advisors, touch-screen jobpoints connected to a vacancies database and improved access for people with disabilities.

The centre was officially launched by Trevor Hooper, district finance manager for Devon, who toured the office in Tavistock and met staff, jobseekers and local employers.

Mr Hooper said the new facilities represented more than just a new office, and were designed around the concept that work is the best form of welfare, as it gives people independence. Mr Hooper said he hoped the new facilities would remove some of the barriers preventing people from entering employment.