THE financial struggles of Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureaux have been well documented – the charity has had a constant fight for survival on its hands since local authority funding was withdrawn two years ago.

More than 3,000 signatures were collected on a petition calling for the service to remain open but, in June last year, the charity's open-door facility came to an end, although telephone and e-mail consultations remained available – as well as face-to-face assistance by appointment.

But as of last week (Monday, October 2), the county advice service changed hands and will now be run by Worcester Citizens Advice with support from other neighbouring CABs in Shropshire and South Worcestershire.

Although the change has resulted in four redundancies at Herefordshire CAB, there are hopes that the new arrangement will finally ensure a sustainable future for the service in the county.

Martyn Saunders, chief executive of Worcester Citizens Advice, said: "Citizens Advice Worcester is pleased to be continuing the Citizens Advice service in Herefordshire, offering people free, independent and impartial advice to help them solve the problems in their lives.

"We look forward to working with staff, volunteers and partners to offer the same high-quality advice services across the county."

As an independent charity, Herefordshire CAB will close later this year. Although there has been a change in management, it is hoped that members of the public will see no change at all.

The services that have been running for some time now – for 50 years in the county – will continue as normal and the 'Herefordshire CAB' name will remain in place.

Outreach services in Leominster, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye will also continue to run, with these strongly supported by town councils.

The St Owen Street office will also still be used, as Herefordshire Council has agreed to offer the accommodation for free.