MP APPEALS FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR EASTLEIGH'S CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 22nd Sep 2006

Eastleigh's CAB would be threatened unless more volunteers come forward.

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne warned that the popular advice service provided to borough residents by the Eastleigh Citizens Advice Bureau would be threatened unless more volunteers come forward.

Mr Huhne issued the appeal after meeting Rose Morton, the new manager of the CAB at 101 Leigh Road, Eastleigh, who is concerned to recruit more advisers to help with the service.

"The Citizens Advice Bureau does what it says: it advises on all manner of problems that local people may encounter not just with government agencies but with businesses, and it can often chart a way through the maze" said Mr Huhne. "It is an invaluable service that has helped literally thousands of local residents over the years, and voluntary advisers are a key benefit for the community".

Ms Morton, who is pictured here with Mr Huhne and volunteers at the CAB stall at the Bishopstoke carnival said: "We would particularly like to attract younger people as advisers. We provide the training, and the work is a very rewarding and satisfying voluntary job."

The normal commitment is one day a week, and the training is completed after a day a week for three months. Ms Morton is hoping to make volunteering easier for young people by moving to evening sessions at the CAB in addition to the normal day time service.