A GOVERNMENT cabinet member heard first-hand of the work of Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS) when he visited the town.

Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, met TASS staff, volunteers and service users at the Anchorage Centre.

He was accompanied by West Devon MP,Geoffrey Cox, who had invited him to hear from those on the front line how their work could be helped by the Government.

TASS general manager Andy Lyle told Mr Duncan Smith about the support the charity provides in the local area, and touched on the community transport service, the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) it operates for hospital transport, and the success of  various clubs and groups that use the Anchorage Centre.

He urged the Secretary of State to ensure that government support reached small rural charities as well as the big national organisations such as Age Concern.

Mr Cox spoke in support of the charity, drawing attention to the limited funding they receive. He said: 'TASS only receives in the region of £10,000 in aid from the county council, and raises tens of thousands of pounds for its work from the community.

'I thought it was important for  Iain to be aware of exactly what small, truly community organisations like TASS can do in rural areas like ours, and with what few resources. 

'TASS is a local charitable group that performs vital services in West Devon that does not pay high salaries or have large costs but devotes the overwhelming majority of the money raised to the benefit of local people.

'I know Iain has committed to reporting back to me and to TASS on how the Government can enable TASS to do even more.

'I am grateful to Andy and all at TASS for welcoming us to the Anchorage Centre, and hope this visit will bring attention to the extraordinarily valuable work they are doing there.'