THIS year, the Salvation Army's annual 'Carols in the Community' concert will be supporting ROC (Robert Owen Communities), a charity for people with learning disabilities.

The festive event, at Tavistock Town Hall on Sunday from 6pm to 7.30pm, will see pupils from Whitchurch Primary School taking part.

Major Dawn McGarvey, from the Salvation Army in Tavistock, said: 'This is a wonderful, traditional occasion in an historical setting which always attracts a full house.

'The Salvation Army Band, communal carol singing and the lovely voices of the primary school pupils enable us all to get closer to the true meaning of Christmas.'

The town mayor, Cllr Harry Smith, who chose ROC as his official charity, said: 'I am grateful to the army's concert organiser Melvyn Thomas and Major McGarvey for choosing to support my charity this year and for all their hard work in making this free event possible. ROC is a brilliant local cause and neither they, nor I, take their support for granted.'

ROC Welcome Tavistock's manager Debbie Newcome said: 'It is a social club for 60 local people with learning disabilities and plays a key part of community life. The club enables people to meet and make friends, grow in confidence — often through new experiences — and become more involved within their local community.

'The Salvation Army has my sincere gratitude for its kind support.'

The carols in the community concert is free but there will be a collection for the charity. To find out more about ROC visit http://www.roc-uk.org">www.roc-uk.org