ORGANISATIONS providing support to some of the most hard-up communities in Teignbridge have received a boost.

Groups such as the Buckland Community Centre in Newton Abbot will be able to apply to Teignbridge Council for rent subsidies to help them keep going.

Ward councillor Mike Ryan said: ‘The people of Buckland live in the bottom four per cent for deprivation.

‘They need all the support they can get.’

Groups including Dawlish Scouts and Shaldon Water Carnival, which all rent council property, can now apply for subsidies.

Cllr Richard Keeling told Teignbridge full council community-based assets should not be treated the same as commercial assets.

Cllr Janet Bradford said she had seen first-hand the work local charities desperate to make use of the subsidy.

She said: ‘The services they supply are wonderful.

‘I am humbled when I see them in action. The work they do helps the most vulnerable people. We must help them as much as we can.’