THE Direct Labour Organisation’s move to its new base at Westpark 26, near Wellington, from Taunton has benefited two charities.

The facilities, made up of a warehouse, workshops, offices and yard, have been designed to suit the needs of the DLO’s 160 staff and some of the equipment had to be upgraded as part of the move.

Some of the old furniture has been transferred to Deane House but other items were surplus to requirements and local charities have offered them a new lease of life.

Taunton Association for the Homeless collected items including desks, tables, chairs and filing cabinets to be used in its Taunton head office and other sites.

Escape support group, a Taunton-based charity which organises trips and activities for families who have a child with a disability, took items including a table, a desk and a storage cabinet.

Cllr Mark Edwards, executive councillor for business development and asset management, said: “The upgrade goes hand in hand with our move to the new DLO unit at Westpark 26 but we are conscious that everything has a value.

“These surplus items have

been gratefully received by the local charities who work hard for the benefit of many people in Taunton Deane and we are pleased to support them.”