A?GOVERNMENT minister who came to Okehampton last week to see how the town is battling back from job losses said he was 'hugely impressed' by the efforts.

Minister for the Civil Society Nick Hurd last Thursday met representatives from various community bodies and agencies in the town to discuss issues affecting the area since it was hit by redundancies last year as major employers closed.

The first port of call for Mr Hurd was the Ockment Centre, where he spoke to community leaders and workers in the voluntary sector.

Representatives from the Citizens Advice Bureau, West Devon CVS, Community Council of Devon and Westward Pathfinder gave presentations on the importance of the voluntary sector in the town's recovery and how securing funding for those organisations is vital so that a community can cope in hard times.

Mr Hurd said: 'The CAB was at the forefront of the response to the redundancies that happened here last year.

'We are conscious that we have a responsibility to create a stable, visible network of funding. The need for that is something we hear time and time again, and we take the message fully on board.

'Volunteering doesn't come for free. It requires co-ordinating, management and promotion and it's not easy. But we will continue to support the infrastructure and look at it.'

The visit then took Mr Hurd to Okehampton Business Centre, where he met community business leaders.

Talks were given by representatives of the DR Company and Business Information Point into their involvement following the redundancies, and how that had led to entrepreneurial opportunities for some of those who lost their jobs.

Mr Hurd said: 'I came to congratulate, to ask what we can do to help, and I came to learn. All those three objectives have been met. I have been hugely impressed by the people I have met and what has happened here.

'The response here since the redundancies has been magnificent, in both the business and voluntary sectors.

'I have a keen sense that it isn't over yet, but people are asking the right questions, like how can we keep working together to build a better future for Okehampton, how can we support people who want to set up new businesses here.

'There's fantastic leadership here, the community has come together to respond to the crisis and I think it's hugely impressive.

'To those still struggling to find employment, persevere. We all know it's a very difficult time and being out of work can be a very depressing place to be but there is a huge amount of energy in this community to create the conditions for more jobs and people should take great pride in that.

'The town should be proud of the way that the community has responded to give human support to those in that very unfortunate position.'

Mr Hurd was accompanied by Central Devon MP Mel Stride, and Cllr Will Mumford, Devon County Council's cabinet member for economy.

The visit followed a request from Mr Stride in the Commons for a senior minister to visit the town, and speak to people about how the redundancies affected them.

Mr Stride said: 'I wanted people here to be recognised for what they have done. It was a huge community effort that fought back from a very difficult time for this town.

'Okehampton is moving on and up and I think it's great for him to come down here and acknowledge that.'

Redundancies followed the closure of Polestar, Robert Wiseman Dairies, Kerrys Ingredients and Browne's Chocolates.

Since the initial redundancies, the former Polestar factory has been purchased by Devonshire Desserts, and Browne's Chocolates taken over by the team who grew the Sharp's Brewery in Cornwall into a £17.5-million business.

Browne's re-hired around half of its 20 employees, and Devonshire Desserts has also re-hired a number of former Polestar employees.

But the effects of the widespread redundancies remain, with some people still struggling to find work 12 months later.