HOPES are high for a more permanent Jobcentre in Okehampton as the town this week welcomed the opening of a temporary service.

For a three-month trial period the Jobcentre will be based at the Okement Centre and will offer a two-day a week service, including free customer access to a telephone for clients to use for information on income support, as well as other advisory services.

The temporary trial is expected to attract around 300 customers over the two-day service.

Chairman of the trustees of the Okement Centre Judy Pride said:'We are delighted that we will be able to provide space to host the Jobcentre Plus trial period.

'We really feel it's something that benefits the town and as the local community centre, it seems to be the perfect place for people to come in and get this sort of advice.

'We are more than pleased that we can accommodate them for this purpose.'

Mrs Pride said the service would make a big difference to the community: 'There have been plenty of people coming into the centre who've told us how difficult it is for them to get to Exeter Jobcentre.

'In other areas people that are looking for work get their bus fares paid to get to interviews and to the nearest Jobcentre.

'In this area I don't think that happens, so the financial implication for people who are looking for work is huge.

'We've always had a good relationship with the Jobcentre and we have made sure we are able to accommodate all their needs.

'We are a community centre, which means we provide for our local community, so this facility is so important.

'We certainly hope it will lead to a more permanent basis.'

The Jobcentre closed in March last year as the Government pushed ahead with its programme of Jobcentre cuts — closing a total of 54 branches last year.

The temporary Jobcentre will have three members of staff available at all times to help get customers back into work.

Customers will still have to go to Exeter or Plymouth for an advisory interview.

Mayor of Okehampton Cllr David Weekes said: 'We shouldn't have lost the Jobcentre in the first place.

'A town the size of Okehampton needs that facility and it's such a waste of time taking people to Exeter to sign on.

'With the bus service we have, it's taking them practically all day, when they could be actively looking for work in Okehampton.

'I really do hope that this trial period will lead to a more permanent job centre for the future.

'It's good that they are utilising the Okement Centre — it's an ideal place to have a permanent Jobcentre.'

Unemployment had increased in West Devon since the Jobcentre Plus branch in Okehampton was closed.

Okehampton resident Barbara Woolacott said she felt let down by the decision to take the service away last year.

She said: 'It seems illogical to have taken away the facility in the first place.

'If a town is growing like Okehampton, they should add more services, not take them away.

'I also don't think the three-month trial is long enough, it shouldn't really be any less than six months, because it doesn't give people time to really test it out.'

The temporary Jobcentre service will be available on Tuesdays and Fridays.

For more information phone the Okement Centre on 01837 53276.