THE headteachers and staff of around 160 schools across Devon who are working over the Easter holidays to provide care and support for the children of key workers like doctors and nurses and people working in food distribution have been praised by the leader of Devon County Council.

Cllr John Hart said: ‘This is just another excellent example of real dedication on the part of the people of Devon in helping to keep the services available for those who need it.

‘We are also working with the district, town and parish councils in a way that I can only call Team Devon. There is a tremendous community spirit existing across Devon to support those who need help, be they young or old and especially the vulnerable.’

The work of Devon’s schools support company, Babcock, which is posting regular updates of learning resources and ideas on its website for staff in schools and mums and dads throughout the county who are trying to teach their children at home, has also been praised by Cllr Hart.

An action fund to provide up to £500 to organisations working in communities to tackle the social and economic impacts of the virus outbreak and help the most vulnerable has also been launched, with more than 100 organisations have already applied.

Devon’s highways teams are continuing to make essential safety repairs on the county’s roads in order to maintain the local network for key workers and trading standards officers are on alert to try to police the increasing number of financial scams and sales of counterfeit goods by criminals trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis.

Cllr Hart added: ‘I said some weeks ago that Devon County Council would do whatever it takes to help our residents through this crisis and these are examples of what we are doing. But none of it would be properly effective without the dedication and spirit of our staff and I want to pay tribute to that.’