RESIDENTS of Tavistock and the surrounding villages can once again support local charities on Saturday July 30, when the annual 'Charity Bonanza' takes place at Tavistock Pannier Market.

Organised by Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS), this year's event will take place from 9am to 4pm and will include up to 15 local charities representing a wide area of local needs, including the elderly, church support groups, animal welfare and people with special needs such as dementia and mental health issues.

Spokesman for TASS Bryan Podmore said: 'The Charity Bonanza is a very special event for local charities in Tavistock and surrounding areas. For many of the smaller charities, it is their major fundraiser of the year and does so much to keep them going financially. The people of Tavistock have always donated generously on the day and we hope that their help will continue this year, especially in the current difficult economic climate that most of us find ourselves in.'

Visitors will find a wide variety of goods on sale ranging from plants and flowers to jewellery, bric-a-brac, jams and a 'Bottle Tombola' run by the Tavistock Stroke group.

The TASS display will feature, for the first time, a dedicated music stall where visitors will find a large range of carefully chosen vinyl records and CDs of all genres.

Bryan said: 'All of these have been generously donated by local residents, and the tables will be set out and manned by local volunteers. I'm sure the residents of Tavistock will once again help support their local charities.'

The Mayor and Mayoress of Tavistock, Cllr Philip Sanders and Dr Hilary Sanders, will open the event at 10.30am.