The decision by Job-centre executives to restore some services to Tavistock and Okehampton has been cautiously welcomed by West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox.

He criticised the closure of the Jobcentres at the time and has since pressed for the return of the services in the two towns.

The high level decision came after a series of representations by Mr Cox to the regional director of Jobcentre Plus and to the Government.

The move will see outreach facilities opened in the two towns for a trial period of three months to assess demand.

Mr Cox said that in the time since the Jobcentre branches in Tavistock and Okehampton were closed, there had been a rise in unemployment in the constituency by 68.5 per cent.

He wrote to the regional director of Jobcentre Plus, Michelle Maslen, in November to urge the setting-up of outreach services in Okehampton and Tavistock and has since been in communication with Jobcentre Plus about restoring services.

Mr Cox also raised the subject in the Commons and tabled a series of parliamentary questions pressing the Government to reconsider the withdrawal of Jobcentres from market towns and urging that a limit be imposed on the distance local people have to travel to obtain assistance.

Mr Cox said: 'I am pleased that these representations have been listened to and that some level of service will be restored to West Devon's towns.

'This is very much the beginning of the process, and it is important to monitor what provision will be offered, and whether it will be designed to meet the needs of local people.

'Sadly, if the new service is well designed in Tavistock and Okehampton I believe there will be a great deal of demand for it.

'Every week I receive letters and emails from hard-pressed people who are being forced to travel all the way to Exeter or Plymouth to get help — an expense that many can ill afford.

'The Government was grossly irresponsible to close the Tavistock and Okehampton Jobcentres in the first place, but I hope that this welcome action will do at least a little to improve the situation.'