DURHAM'S free advice service has been handed a financial lifeline with a £10,000 increase in funding from the city council.

The council has agreed to give Durham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), based in Millennium Place, Claypath, £78,965 in the coming financial year.

The service, which is manned by volunteers and paid staff and provides help and advice on a wide range of problems, has faced a cash crisis for the past three years.

The organisation was part-funded by Christ's Hospital in Sherburn but the support came to an end about a year ago.

CAB manager Colin Thompson said the 14.5 per cent increase in grant would ensure that they could continue to provide the current level of service in the coming year.

"Without this additional funding we would have been forced to reduce our staff and this would almost certainly have meant the end to representation at Social Security appeal tribunals by the bureau."

The increase will not cover all of the bureau's costs so the board of trustees has agreed to fund any deficit from its reserves.

Trustees board chairman Patrick Conway thanked the council, leader Fraser Reynolds and senior officers for their efforts in promoting the increase in funding.

Meanwhile, the bureau has teamed with Derwentside CAB and the Legal Services Commission to offer specialist housing and debt advice to Durham City residents who are entitled to Legal Assistance, formerly known as Legal Aid.