TAVISTOCK Youth Café's bid to raise thousands of pounds for a new building got underway recently, with a generous donation from a West Devon decorating company.

Lyndon Harvey from West Dex Ltd in Yelverton, donated £500 to Tavistock Youth Café (TYC) to help the group raise £50,000 to build a new premises in partnership with Devon Youth Services on the present site in Pixon Lane.

Howdens of Tavistock also gave the youth café a big lift by donating a new kitchen to be fitted for free in the new building, which would cost in excess of £1,000.

Both donations were gratefully received by TYC's Vicki Lloyd and new vice chairman of TYC Allen Lewis.

Vicki said she was thrilled to kick start this huge task by having such generous support from local businesses, and expressed thanks to both sponsors.

Allen Lewis said: 'The youth café is such an important place to the local community and is the heart of Tavistock Youth Café Plus for special needs children and their families.

'So many people use and need this facility in this area.

'I am fully confident we will be backed by everyone in Tavistock and am thrilled by Lyndon's support and the Howdens of Tavistock team.

'It is an honour to go on the board of directors for the youth café and I hope to help all I can by injecting some enthusiasm in their fundraising ideas.'