ADVICE sessions held at six GP surgeries in Darlington could be scrapped if a new source of funding is not found.

The Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) outreach service, which helped about 400 people last year with issues including financial advice and employment, is experiencing financial problems after losing its main source of income.

Unless a source can be found quickly, the services offered at the Dr Piper House walk-in centre, and at medical surgeries in Clifton Court, Denmark Street, Moorlands, Neasham Road and Parkgate could be discontinued. Staff are now looking at funding possibilities from agencies across the region.

The service would still be offered at the CAB offices in Darlington Market Square, but staff fear the take-up may not be as great if their outreach programme is lost.

Mike Hill, manager of Darlington CAB, said the service was under threat because funding from the town's Community Legal Services Partnership is non-renewable.

"We help other people to draw up realistic budgets and then keep to them, and we have to do the same ourselves," he said.

"While we're still trying to find new sources of funding for this immensely worthwhile initiative, we have to recognise that it may not continue beyond the end of the financial year.

"We will still see people at the bureau in the Market Square, but I feel sorry for those who find their doctor's surgery a much more accessible option.

"This project has proved a success from the outset. To take just one example, we've helped local people recover almost £150,000 worth of benefits that they were entitled to, but had been unable to claim.

"Continuing the project would cost a quarter of the amount it's already brought in. It's unfortunate that there isn't a stable, long-term funding system to keep such worthwhile initiatives alive."