THE CITIZENS' Advice Bureau (CAB) has been awarded "vital" funding to continue a support service in Lyme Regis.

Lyme Regis Town Council has agreed to hand over £4,000 to the Bridport and District CAB to support the organisation's outreach service in the town.

The council grants the CAB a similar amount every year to help cover the costs of running the weekly service at St Michael’s Business Centre.

Bridport and District CAB manager, Rovarn Wickremasinghe, said: “The funding is vital. We couldn’t run the outreach without the long-standing support of the town council.

“The expenses we have are around volunteer training supervision and equipment, and the council has very kindly helped us with premises.

“Without that support, we wouldn’t have the finances to run it.”

The CAB sees between 160 and 200 people a year from Lyme Regis, offering free, confidential and independent advice on a wide range of issues.

Residents can either make an appointment or drop in to the business centre between 10am and 3pm on Wednesdays.

Mr Wickremasinghe added: “We need to let people know we are here.

“We provide general advice on a whole range of enquiries, but we do have specialist debt and benefits case officers so we can help with more complex cases in these areas as well.”

Cllr Stan Williams is the town council’s representative on the CAB.

He said: “I believe this service is absolutely vital and it’s something the council fully supports.

“If we didn’t have the outreach in Lyme, people would otherwise have to go to Bridport, which could be difficult for the very elderly or people with small children.

“The availability of the room at St Michael’s Business Centre is also vitally important, as it’s in a good position and is wheelchair friendly.”

Mr Wickremasinghe said the council funding would be even more essential this year, as the demand for the service is expected to increase with the introduction of Universal Credit, and increased costs for the refurbishment of the main centre in Bridport.

Mr Wickremasinghe said: “We are always looking for volunteers.

"Our next training course is on May 30, so anyone interested is asked to contact us.”

For more information, contact the Bridport and District CAB by emailing advice@bridport-cab.org.uk