A PLEA for more support for youth work in the Tavistock area has been made by a former mayor of the town.

Cllr Anne Johnson urged Devon County councillor Debo Sellis to fight for fair provision for the area's young people at least week's meeting of Tavistock Town Council.

Cllr Johnson asked Cllr Sellis what had happened to the money received by the county from the sale of Exeter Airport, which had been earmarked for this purpose several years ago.

She said: 'Youth provision in this area has been a poor relation as far as the county council is concerned.

'I understand that finances are very stretched but what I want to see for Tavistock is a level playing field with the rest of the county — it seems as though we are just too far from Exeter.

'We do need to do the very best we can for youth provision in this town.'

Cllr Sellis told the council that the money referred to by Cllr Johnson had been 'safeguarded for youth provision in Tavistock'.

She said the county was facing further cuts of more than £100 million and it was critical that any spending should be carried out in a sustainable fashion.

Cllr Sellis said an amalgamation of services was likely to take place and youth services in the Tavistock area would have an opportunity to provide input into this process.