SPORTS clubs in West Devon this week looked close to victory in their battle to win back rate relief.

The clubs, hit by a succession of drastic cuts in relief, had warned they could go under unless West Devon Borough Council threw them a lifeline.

It now looks as if their campaign has paid off — leading councillors and officers at a meeting behind closed doors on Tuesday agreed to think again in order to help struggling clubs.

While not willing to put a precise figure on what rate relief would be available, Cllr Peter Hill, chairman of the borough's influential policy committee, said: 'The chief executive, treasurer, Cllr Dick Eberlie and myself are looking at figures which we hope to present to the policy committee — this will be for the year 2000-2001.

'In the proposals there will be an improvement for those clubs who have said they are being hard done-by.'

Cllr Hill said a further review of discretionary monies would be taking place for the year 2001 onwards.

The policy committee is due to meet on July 11.

David Incoll, borough chief executive, said the situation was now being treated as a matter of urgency.

He said: 'I think Cllr Hill does regret it has taken some time, but they are working on a daily basis to come up with something — things are now happening quite quickly, they are looking for a more immediate solution.'

West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett, who threw his weight behind the sports clubs' campaign and chaired meetings between clubs and the borough, was 'delighted' at the news.

He said: 'I am grateful to West Devon councillors for attending the meeting I called and for providing such a positive response.

'Sports provide marvellous opportunities, particularly for our young people and I am grateful to all who participate in them, throughout my constituency.'

Simon Essex, who has been campaigning on behalf of many sports organisations, said: 'It's wonderful news, it's a little bit of progress, but we have to keep the pressure up.

'It's wonderful to see we have actually got into the 20th century — one day we might actually get into the 21st.'

Tim Warlow, treasurer at Tavistock Rugby Club, said last year's 'dramatic' cut in rate relief had 'severely curtailed' investment in the club.

'We really have been struggling financially,' he said.

'Any help that the council can offer would greatly improve the amount of money that the club can invest in training facilities at both adult and youth level.'

Norma Woodcock, president of Tavistock Tennis Club, said: 'As a club we would be extremely grateful for any reduction in charges — the tennis club does provide a wide service to the community, particularly for young people and we were extremely concerned at the increase in the rates.'

Eric Pengelly, president of Okehampton Rugby Club, said: 'We would be very pleased if there was a reduction in what we have to pay, because it's hit us hard.

'We've had to work very hard to raise money just to pay the rates. A lot of voluntary work goes into running this organisation and you don't like to see all the money going back into the rates.'

In March the council said it could not afford to give rates relief to clubs because rural relief is already given to village shops and post offices.

Borough treasurer Lesley Halton said with many applications for rate relief being received, slices of the cake had to be thinner.