THE FIRST Dorset Credit Union paid out a record £50,000 last November to members who had saved throughout the year for Christmas.

An invitation has gone out to new members to join the FDCU Christmas Savings Club for this year at its Beaminster base.

The service point runs on Thursdays from 10am to noon at The Yarn Barton Community Centre in Fleet Street.

The Job Club has moved its day of meeting from Wednesdays to Thursday lunchtimes to follow on from the FDCU service point, opening from 12.3pm to 2.30pm.

“It was thought it could be useful for those who are looking for work and visiting the Job Club to be able to visit the Credit Union on the same day,” said FDCU volunteer Rosemary Beeny.

“With the changes to benefit payments which are coming over the next few months, those claiming will need to open bank accounts and so this is where the FDCU could be of assistance.”

The FDCU Service Point has now been running in Beaminster for six months.

It is manned by volunteers. It offers information, advice and the chance to find out what the credit union can offer.