THE Homeless in Teignbridge Support charity (Hits) was celebrating on Tuesday after moving into its new home in Bradley Lane, Newton Abbot.

The group, which works with the homeless and those in need, has been granted subsidised rent from Teignbridge Council meaning it could leave its previous premises, a two-bedroom flat in the town.

Those who attended the opening included the mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Mike Ryan, chairman of Teignbridge Council Cllr Mike Hocking, Cllr Carol Bunday, chairman of the group Cllr David Cox, the Rev Jon Doble of The Avenue Church and the town centre development manager, Sally Henley.

Cllr Hocking said the charity supported the most vulnerable, but it was sad that in an essentially-rich country people still had to rely on foodbanks.

The charity has been around since 1993 but has been active in Teignbridge since 2012.

Since then more than 3,000 people have been helped and 7,000 interventions have been put in place which includes food packs.

Newton Abbot mayor, Cllr Ryan, said: ‘It is a pity that we need this service today, being that we are such a wealthy country but it is good that we have this help for the needy of this town and district.’