I WAS dismayed to read (Times January 10) that the Age Concern Information Centre in the Arcade is to be closed.

Age Concern needs more support and expansion rather than cutbacks and withdrawal of finance. I have felt for a long time that Okehampton lacks a drop-in centre for the elderly people of our town to give company to each other and also to seek advice on DSS benefits.

Most elderly people do not know what benefits they are entitled to unless they are referred to the Citizens' Advice bureau by their friends or their GP.

These are the people who have contributed to the country in taxes, national insurance and services. They have never shirked hard work and laid the foundation of the country after the war. Now when it is their turn to be looked after they are let down.

I beseech the relevant authorities to reconsider their decision.

Cllr Hyder Ali Pirwany

East Street, Okehampton

I WAS not surprised to read in last week's Times that money for the enhancement £200,000, could be found, while funds for Age Concern looking after our pensioners could not.

It is a sad day when we can find money for a concrete bottle-neck, but not for looking after our elderly. The enhancements look nice but are they practical?

On Thursday morning last week I had to drive over part of the bus stop because there were so many vehicles parked on the Boots side of Fore Street forcing traffic coming from East Street to go over the central line. The only good thing I can see is the seats in Fore Street.

The elderly who cannot use the care centres due to the cuts have now somewhere else to sit. Dr Beecham was renowned for killing off our railways, Our planners and councillors could be renowned for killing off Okehampton. Only time will tell.

Michael Leahy

Bright View, Okehampton

I FOUND it incredible, reading your front page articles (January 10) that the Okehampton Enhancement has cost £200,000, this paid partly by EU funding and partly by Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council — and this at a time when County Hall are saying that the next rate rise will be in the region of 10 per cent.

Immediately below, your next article says 'Cuts will hit the elderly' and that Age Concern will get a 50 per cent cut in their grant from Devon County Council Social Services.

A lot of our elderly population depend on charities like Age Concern and others. For some it's a once a week outing, a lunch, a chance to meet others and socialise.

Our older folk come before town centre enhancement. Government and county council must get their priorities right.

Anyway, apart from restricting the flow of traffic through our enhanced town centre, what good has the enhancement done?

Patrick Shea

Herons Brook

Okehampton