CAMELFORD Town Council has turned down a request for a donation by the Merlin MS Centre.

At a recent meeting of the full council, members considered the request from the centre, based at Hewas Water.

The centre supports those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) by offering a range of clinical services. They approached the council for a donation towards operation costs, which was a concern to some councillors.

Cllr Rob Rotchell, mayor, told the meeting: “There’s two points with this — one, it must directly benefit the community of Camelford; and two, this is asking for funding for the running costs — we don’t do that. If it was towards a piece of new kit, it would be very different, but this is asking to support the operational costs.”

He proposed the request was turned down, adding: “It doesn’t benefit a huge amount of people in the community, and it supports operation costs.”