TWO community groups from Tavistock are over the moon after hearing the good news that they are each to receive a substantial grant boost.

Tavistock Youth Café and Uskate are to profit from funding made available within the Tavistock area Section 106 pot for commitment towards community facilities projects.

The good news was announced to the groups last Wednesday after final approval was given from Tavistock Town Council and West Devon Borough Council.

A grant of £10,000 has been awarded to the new Tavistock Youth Café, based on Pixon Lane, to go towards fitting out costs, including kitchen, electrical and heating installation, flooring and decoration.

Uskate, a not-for-profit community interest company, is headed by Tavistock team Joni Rainbow and Mark Roberts.

The grant for Uskate of £4,500 will help fit out the unit on Pixon Lane as a training centre for extreme sports, circus skills and other activities. The unit will also include a shop, café and office.

Councillors felt that the applications from both groups were strong and fitted in well with the requirements of the S106 fund, generated from the development on Brook Lane and the former Tavistock Hockey Club.

Vicki Lloyd, youth café manager, was delighted at the news.

She said: 'The grant from West Devon will go a long way to help fit out the new Youth Café.

'We are nearly ready to open our doors because of the capital funding we've received — without this we wouldn't have such a great looking space.

'I really want to thank West Devon for their support and acknowledgement of the needs of young people in this area.'

Joni Rainbow said: 'We are very excited about the funding and being able to get the kitchen up and running so we can have a café serving decent food.

'We are so happy to have the support of the local councils and Uskate will be pushing to help as many lives as possible.'

Cllr John Sheldon, who is on both borough and town councils, supported the grants for both organisations.

He said: 'I was pleased to support grants towards both of these facilities, which are predominantly for young people, for which there is a need within the town and wider West Devon area. I wish them every success.'

Borough and town councillor for Tavistock north Jeff Moody said: 'I fully support the allocation of Community Facilities Fund financial grants to the Tavistock Youth Café and Uskate.

'As a father and grandfather to teenage grandchildren, I am acutely aware of the important need for the provision of supervised activities and support for local young people in Tavistock.

'Not only does this give structured support and a safe environment for young people to interact with peers, it also gives them the ability to explore different activities and challenges which help them to develop into young adults.'

There is still approximately £28,000 within the Tavistock area S106 pot for commitment towards community facilities projects.