SWINDON Mayor Derek Benfield held a celebratory reception after a cash bid secured funding for the Safer Swindon Shop and Consumer Advice Service for the next three years.

The two services, which run in Havelock Street, have received £137,615 from the Legal Services Commission, formerly the Legal Aid Board.

The Safer Swindon Shop has been offering free security advice to the public for two years.

The consumer advice service was launched in January to help anyone who is in dispute over contracts for the supply of goods or services.

Swindon Council's public protection group and the crime and disorder team made the successful bid for funding from The Legal Services Commis-sion.

The body aims to provide the widest possible access to legal information and advice.

Community Legal Service Partnerships have been established by councils across the country to provide this service.

The mayor's reception involved those in the successful bid.