ABOUT 19,000 North Wiltshire people turned to the Citizens' Advice Bureau last year for help with their problems.

The district's CAB Annual Report reveals the numbers set a new record.

"This last year has been our busiest year ever and we are constantly surprised by the variety of problems that come before us," said bureau manager Liz Taylor.

She said many people were unaware of their rights and responsibilities and often a visit to the CAB could help straighten out a problem.

The CAB helps people in many matters, but last year the advice of volunteers and specialist staff helped people claim more than £1.2 million in unclaimed benefits, grants or compensation for infringement of employment rights.

The CAB provides a service across the district with offices in Calne, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Corsham and Wootton Bassett, along with the Home Visiting Service for the housebound.

Last year the CAB received a total of 850 housing inquiries an average of three a day many of which needed on-going case work involving negotiations, correspondence and representation at court.

Housing problems crop up in every sector, down to homeless people.

The CAB helped people apply for grants and benefits. Often an adviser will help people fill in claims forms more than 30 pages long.

Altogether North Wiltshire CABs helped 18,721 people and dealt with 37,767 problems.

Negotiations are now underway for the Corsham CAB to buy the Barclays Bank building in the High Street, with help from Barclays and the district council.

Lee Bartlett, chair of the CAB, said at the AGM last week: "I am proud to be associated with such a professional and vital organisation within our community. The help and advice is of the highest possible standard."