THE Lower Deck Café, beneath the United Reformed Church in Tavistock's Russell Street, celebrates its sixth birthday next Friday, January 14 and is marking this milestone by offering a free drink with every cooked meal — with the first five customers receiving their meal at half price!

The community café was started by the United Reformed Church in 2005 and has opened almost every Friday since, except for Good Friday and at Christmas and New Year.

The café has been manned by a dedicated team of wonderful volunteers, without whom the café would close.

The Rev Roger Cornish said: 'The team includes several amazing people who have found it difficult to find paid employment elsewhere and we have seen them gain in confidence and blossom. 

'They see their work as a valuable contribution to the community as this is a café with a difference.'

There is a welcome for all people and a warm, bright, safe meeting place is provided where people can linger and find friendship and comfort.

There is plenty of room and easy disabled access and free, very local delivery of meals is also offered to workers and others unable to get to the café.

Some people come and enjoy a game of Scrabble as they eat their food! Prices are kept as low as possible and yet the wide variety of food that is offered is of a high standard and well cooked. Fairtrade food is used wherever available and bric-a-brac and home made jams and cards are usually on sale.

Mr Cornish said, 'I want to say a very big public thank you to our cook, all Lower Deck Café staff and our regular customers who make Fridays special. I hope many will join us on the 14th as we celebrate!'