A WEEKLY drop-in for Cleator Moor’s most vulnerable has been rescued by Cleator Moor Town Council.

Because of national funding cuts to the charity, Citizens Advice had to reduce its public sessions to a biweekly, appointment-only service.

Councillors agreed to donate £2,322 to bring back the weekly drop-in for another year at a council meeting.

The money will be used to cover the cost of office space and a receptionist for the service.

The funding will cover the additional cost of running the sessions every week, so the council will pay for the service every other week at a cost of £92 per session.

Helen Gilmour, council clerk, said that the depleted service has had a devastating effect on some residents and that Cleator Moor is one of the area’s that needs a strong Citizens Advice service the most.

“We’ve seen elderly people having to walk miles into Whitehaven and people using what little money they have to phone Citizens Advice,” said Helen.

“This is an area with high unemployment where people are having their benefits cut and some are facing eviction, so it isn’t the right time or place to have a reduced service.

“The fact that it’s being restored to a drop-in session is great news as well because it makes it easier for people when they don’t have to worry about booking an appointment or missing one.

“It is really important that we keep these services strong because, for some, they are the only people to turn to and we have to make sure that we keep these sessions regular and accessible.”

The drop-in sessions run from 10am until 12pm every Friday in the town council building on Market Square. For more information on the service, call 01946 693321.