THE Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for the Hambleton district has secured financial backing of more than £82,000 from the local authority.

District councillors have agreed to subsidise the service with £27,450 a year over the next three years.

Cabinet members approved the aid, but said it was unlikely that any further aid or increase could be accommodated over the three years.

"The CAB provides an invaluable service to the people of Hambleton," said Bob Baker, the local cabinet member for citizenship.

"We are happy to be able to continue our grant aid to them despite last year's capping and the budgetary constraints that has been placed upon us.

"However, as a council we must live within our means. We have had to fix the grant aid at £27,450, but with the certainty that this will continue for three years."

The bureau offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice to local residents enabling them to deal with a wide range of issues, including benefits, housing, finances, employment, consumer and relationships.

It deals with almost 2,400 contacts a year involving about 4,800 different issues.