A SCHEME providing debt advice for people living in rural areas has been axed because of a lack of funding.

The rural outreach service run by Hambleton Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) ceased to operate last week.

The service has suffered a series of cutbacks since August, 2003.

Last summer, its hours were reduced, with visits to Thirsk and Stokesley taking place twice a week and Bedale and Easingwold once a week.

People living across Hambleton will now have to travel to Northallerton if they want a face-to-face meeting with advisors.

The bureau receives funding from Hambleton District and North Yorkshire County councils, but receives nothing from the Government.

Staff have been forced to find alternative funding to pay for their rural outreach services, but money from the Community Fund, Lloyds TSB and Nationwide has now run out and workers have been unable to secure any new grants.

Hambleton CAB manager Jean Wooler said: "Due to the lack of sustainable funding and staff resources, the decision had to be taken to cease the limited service which was in operation over the last year.

"Support from local parishes and towns is encouraging and the need for our outreach advice service is still there.

"The outreach service has been a huge part of what we do because quite often you do need to speak to people in person. Their problems are easier to understand and you can look at the paperwork concerned.

"I hope we can get funding in the future, but I have been working over the last three years to keep it going and I have come to the end of the road."

A month ago, the outreach service run by Richmondshire Citizens' Advice Bureau was also closed because of a lack of funds. It had provided advice sessions in Hawes, Leyburn, Reeth, Catterick Garrison and Colburn.

Anyone wanting to contact Hambleton CAB at their base at 277 High Street, Northallerton, can call (01609) 770309 between 10am and 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or drop in between 10am and 1pm on the same days. It is closed on Fridays and operates an appointment-only system on Tuesdays.

For more details about the bureau, log on to www.hambletoncab.org.uk