RESIDENTS of Broadwoodkelly and surrounding area benefited from a specially extended Friday market recently, when West Devon Connect's Outreach team took their services along to the popular local event.

The outreach surgeries, which bring together many different agencies and organizations into a local venue, will become a regular feature at the Friday Markets.

At the launch event agencies, including Age Concern Devon, Care and Repair, the Police and the Citizens Advice Bureau were on hand to give advice and information on their services. The agencies were specifically chosen in response to a survey which was carried out at the Friday market in November, and were well received by all.

The agencies themselves were very impressed by the feedback they received, and the market organisers were also full of praise for the residents, some of whom were first-time visitors.

Market organiser Robin Gant said: 'We were delighted to see the Outreach Surgery on February 19. The publicity distributed locally about the event attracted many new people to the hall.

'Our Friday market is a fairly new activity in Broadwoodkelly. Apart from helping us to save on "food miles" by buying locally produced items, we aim to make the market a meeting place where folk can come along for a coffee and a chat once a week.'

The Broadwoodkelly markets are held every Friday, from 10.30am until noon, and the outreach surgeries will join them on a quarterly basis throughout the year, on May 21, August 20 and November 19. Each surgery will host a variety of public agencies, providing a range of specialist information and advice.

For further information, contact West Devon customer service advisors on 01822 813600 or email [email protected]">[email protected]