RELATE Exeter and District and Devon's Young Carers project are the latest organisations to benefit from the town council's grant aid scheme.

The council granted both organisations the maximum £500 on offer at their latest policy and resources meeting. Relate will use the money to subsidise relationship counselling for people living in Okehampton, while Devon Young Carers will use the money to support their work with young people in the town.

Relate Exeter and District offer counselling for those with relationship problems, be they marital, familial or otherwise. Councillors were keen to support their work in the town.

Cllr Terry Cummings said: 'Not only do they help those with marital or relationship problems, but they also give financial advice. It is a very good cause, and one we should support.'

Town mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'They are a very worthwhile organisation. I've seen some of the work they do through people at church, and they help a lot of people.'

Young Devon is a charity that challenges negative stereotypes of young people, secures young people's right to participate and be meaningfully involved in society and assists in young people building life skills.

The Young Carers Project is designed to support young carers looking after another family member, and give them some free time where they can enjoy themselves and forget their responsibilities.

Cllr Christine Marsh said: 'When you see what they do, it is unbelievable. I think we should give them what they ask for, and support their amazing work.'

The council also decided to support the Devon Heartlands Community Forum. The forum, which provides free open community meetings for the people of Okehampton, Chagford, North Tawton and surrounding parishes each month, asked for £200 to fund venue hire for their quarterly meetings in Okehampton.

The council decided to write to the forum and offer the free use of the council chamber for their quarterly meetings, or pay for the rental of a venue for the next four quarters at a maximum cost of £200.

At the beginning of this financial year, the council allocated £12,000 to be distributed to organisations and charities benefitting the community. Councillors regularly review grant applications, and make a conscientious effort to spread the money as fairly and wisely as possible. The maximum donation is capped at £500.

With the end of the financial year approaching, councillors decided to give £250 of the remaining grant money to Wren Music to support the Lanterns Procession that took place in February. The remaining money, around £2,500, will go into the council's reserves for the next financial year.

The council is keen to invite applications for next year's funding from organisations both big and small, in an effort to support as many people in Okehampton as possible.

Cllr Maureen McDonald said: 'We have been disappointed we have not had as many applications this year as we have had in previous years.

'We hope that we can support more groups and organisations next year.'

For more information, contact the town hall on 01837 53179.