PEOPLE living in the North-East and North Yorkshire are facing a postcode lottery when trying to get help from solicitors for employment, housing or family law cases, it is claimed today.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) warns that one of the Government's flagship policies, the modernisation of the legal aid system, is in danger of collapse.

A report published by the charity describes legal aid no-go areas where people facing the threat of domestic violence or homelessness often have to travel more than 50 miles to find someone able to take up their case.

The report is made up of evidence from more than 200 CABs on the way the Community Legal Service (CLS) - set up four years ago following a Government review - operates.

David Harker, chief executive of CAB, said: "Our research shows that shortcomings in the CLS are preventing people in desperate need from getting legal advice or taking legal action, even though they are eligible for legal aid.

"They are often in very vulnerable situations, under threat of attack from an ex-partner or in danger of losing their home or even their right to stay in the country."

Some examples of "advice deserts" contained in the report, Geography of Advice, include:

* No specialist employment advice in Derwentside, Durham or Easington;

* A lack of specialist welfare benefits services in Chester-le-Street and Sedgefield;

* Only one publicly-funded firm doing housing work in Scarborough and Whitby;

* No specialist debt advice provision in Durham City or Sedgefield;

* A shortage of immigration practitioners throughout Yorkshire, but especially North Yorkshire.

The report says Selby CAB was approached by a man of North African origin seeking leave to remain in the UK, who it was unable to help.

The bureau does not have an immigration worker and was forced to contact every specialist local service listed in the Community Legal Service directory, but every one was too busy to take on the case.

Mr Harker said: "The CLS has great potential, but the system is not yet meeting the need for consistent and accessible advice and representation which people should be able to expect."