Local credit union Wyvern Savings and Loans celebrated being open for twenty years this month.

That's twenty years in which they have provided a place for safe savings and affordable loans to the people of Dorset and Somerset.

During that time they have made over 7,600 individual loans and lent out in excess of £5,000,000.

This has directly helped members, who have saved a lot of money by repaying at rates much lower than those charged by doorstep lenders or payday loans.

The money has stayed within the local community and enabled members to lead better lives.

Currently the credit union has over 3,500 active members who take advantage of the products and services on offer.

Behind its success is a team of four dedicated staff and an army of volunteers - some of whom can be seen celebrating as the mayor of Dorchester, Richard Biggs, cut the cake.

Cllr Biggs congratulated volunteers on "providing a valuable service to their community".

At the celebration founding members were able to catch up on everything that has happened since they started in 1999.

They talked about success stories big and small. These include "the lady who we helped escape the clutches of loan sharks"; "a young woman we helped back on her financial feet", or "the chap who was travelling into Yeovil and was charged to cash his weekly cheque before he became a member... He was quids in".

For more information visit www.wyvernsandl.co.uk