THE future of Durham Citizens' Advice Bureau could be in doubt unless it can secure more funding to meet rising costs.

The charity provides free, independent advice to people on issues ranging from consumer problems to benefit wrangles and legal disputes.

But it is facing a hike in bills after last year's move from rent-free premises into the city's Millennium City complex.

The trustees are warning that unless the bureau can secure more income it could close in the next year or two.

The bureau, most of whose workers are volunteers, gets most of its funding from Durham City Council and is the biggest single recipient of grants from the authority.

It had to move last year from the council's former planning office at Ruth First House, Claypath, to the £30m Millennium City development, after the building was sold.

The bureau, which has a booming caseload, currently has additional SRB6 funding for a village outreach service and a contract with Durham County Council social services to provide advocacy for its community care clients.

But trustees are concerned that the bureau's general services to the public have a deficit that could grow and will have to be met from limited reserves.

The bureau's property costs, including rent and water rates, have risen from £3,557 to £12,374 although the move to Millennium City has provided better accommodation with access for disabled clients.

Manager Colin Thompson said: "Without a change in circumstances we would have to say, as a responsible charity, we would have to cease operating.

"We need an additional amount of money to continue with the improvements we have made.

"A number of people would have nowhere else to go for help and advice if we closed.''

Mr Thompson said the bureau helped save public money by sorting out rent arrears and benefit problems that otherwise could leave councils out of pocket.

The city's Liberal Democrat Mayor, Ray Gibbon, who is a volunteer at the bureau, said he would like to see more businesses, including banks, provide funding.

He said they benefited by the bureau resolving problems of people falling behind with repayments.

"I would urge businesses whose clients come to us for help to tip up. We need money from somewhere.''