A SPECIALIST worker is to be recruited to advise ethnic residents on their welfare rights.

The liaison worker's appointment has been made possible with a £60,000 National Lottery grant made to the Redcar and Cleveland Citizen's Advice Bureau.

He or she will advise on housing and health care as well as welfare benefits.

Bureau spokesman Dennis Ramsay said: "It's a pleasure to be able to continue our advice service to minority ethnic communities and we are very grateful to the Community Fund for this.

"We will also be able to raise awareness of people's rights through self help groups in the community. The overall aim of the project is to improve community cohesion."