MID Devon charity has been named the winner of the Taylor Wimpey Exeter’s Community Trust Initiative.

The campaign launched in April and offered a £1,000 donation to a charitable organisation or community group.

The winners were the Young at Heart Club, an organisation aimed at tackling loneliness among older people in the area.

A total of 14 good causes were nominated for the Exeter funding by members of the public.

Young at Heart was deemed the most deserving by Taylor Wimpey, a housing developer which is building new homes at Rackenford Meadow in Tiverton.

The charity was launched in 2014 by Lloyd and Diana Yorke.

Lloyd Yorke, chairman of the Young at Heart Club, says: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as the recipient of the Community Trust grant and on behalf of our committee, staff and volunteers, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Taylor Wimpey for this fantastic cash boost – and of course to everyone who nominated the Young at Heart Club in the competition.

“We all work very hard to help alleviate the debilitating effects that loneliness can bring to older people and £1,000 will go a long way to help us benefit the community of Tiverton and surrounding area.

“We will be opening a new club in Tiverton shortly and this money will enable us to equip the premises to a high standard and hence mirror the successful format we currently have at the Burlescombe Community Hall.”

The aim of the charity is to give over 60s a place to have fun, socialise and feel part of the community.

Transport can be arranged to help people get out of the house.

Clare Brimble, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey Exeter, says: “Our Community Trust initiative generated a lot of interest locally and we’re absolutely delighted to name the Young at Heart Club as the beneficiary of the funding.

“The club provides a wonderful service for so many older people in the area and we’re thrilled that with our help it will be able to expand its services into Tiverton itself.