A CITIZEN'S Advice Bureau (CAB) has extended its premises to accommodate the specialist services it offers.

Derwentside CAB will celebrate the growth of its Stanley office, in Front Street, with an open day on Wednesday, September 6.

The event is being held in conjunction with national Advice Week, which runs from September 3 to 10.

Derwentside CAB manager Cliff Laws said yesterday: "CABs across the UK are challenging people to discover the value of advice.

"Here in Derwentside, CAB advisors handle casework that would defeat many high street lawyers.

"We provide this service free to all callers. Most of the problems are about benefit, debt, housing and employment, but these rarely come neatly packaged.

"There is abundant evidence that free, independent, expert advice can make the difference between problems solved and problems deepened.

"People threatened with repossession or eviction are less likely to lose their homes where the CAB is involved.

"And people are more likely to win at benefit appeals if represented by the CAB."