THE merged Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon Citizens Advice Bureau successfully secured two Big Lottery grants to expand the level of service in the community.

The bureau has recently launched its two new lottery funded projects 'Widening Horizons' and 'OATIS'.

Steve Davis, chief executive of the bureaux, joined staff, partners and local councillors at the launch of the two year projects following its merger with West Devon earlier in the year.

The charity will use the funding to help improve and expand its services within the community, developing its organisation to create a modern, resilient and sustainable citizens advice service fit for the digital age.

Mr Davis believes the grants are a great opportunity to help further develop the service in Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon areas: 'This funding has given the bureaux the chance to look for a more resilient and sustainable financial future by working with key partners over the next two years.'

Having secured the funding for both projects before the merge, the bureaux are now able to work together to ensure they cover all districts in the best possible way, with the aim of becoming a more sustainable organisation.

More than 1,200 people were seen last month covering a range of issues from benefits and tax to relationships and employment. With the demand for advice increasing and funding streams continually being cut, the grants will be used to develop the bureau to ensure the charity can continue its much needed service of advice in the area.

Widening Horizons is set to use its funding to develop rural outreach and improve services for young people, while Okehampton and Tavistock Information Service (OATIS) will look at further training for volunteers in the community.

Chairman of the trustees John Silver believes that the Big Lottery funded projects will enable Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon CAB to 'provide a uniform core advice service of the highest quality across all four districts of the bureau, thus helping, in particular, the many vulnerable people affected by the impact of the recession.'

These projects are a first of their kind in terms of length and grant size and those involved believe the changes and improvements they make across the districts will have a lasting effect and will help more people in the community.