RESIDENTS in and around Okehampton are to benefit from a temporary Jobcentre due to open in the town this Spring.

The three-month trial period will offer a two day a week service, including free customer access to a telephone for clients to use for information on income support and other advisory services.

District change manager for Devon and Cornwall District Jobcentre Plus, Teri Whitten, told Okehampton Town Council's planning committee last week that they expect to see around 300 customers over the two-day service.

She said: 'We had an offer to lease a room in the Ockment Centre, but after a health and safety check it wasn't suitable.

'However, we have been offered a second, larger room at the centre which has two exits and is more suitable.

'We are also going to be using broadband to access our services.'

Mrs Whitten said the temporary Jobcentre would have three members of staff available at all times.

She said: 'Customers will not be getting a reduction in service.

'The main part in this service is to get the customer back into work and that is what we will offer with a personal advisor.

'Customers will still have to go to Exeter or Plymouth for an advisory interview.'

Mayor of Okehampton Cllr David Weekes said the Jobcentre was good news for the town.

He said: 'They should have never have taken the service away in the first place.

'It's taking people half a day to travel to Exeter and back just to sign on — it's ridiculous.

'Let's hope the temporary service turns to permanent and they bring more facilities to people who are actually wanting to return to work.

'It's great that it supports the Ockment Centre by giving them some much needed revenue, plus a larger number of people may use more of the facilities the centre offers, like computer training, etc.

'If people are out of work they will be more inclined to try their hand at something the centre offers.

'The way the town is growing we certainly need these kinds of facilities and on a permanent basis.'

The temporary three-month Jobcentre is set to open mid March.