KENNET Citizens' Advice Bureau is hoping to swell its pool of volunteer advisers by up to 50 per cent following a public appeal last week.

The service used National Advice Week as a springboard for its promotional efforts.

Devizes volunteers Derek Maurice and Ed Coupe manned a stand at Safeway in Devizes last Thursday, telling shoppers about the service and providing them with information leaflets.

Sandra Long, manager of the Kennet CAB, which is based in Commercial Road, Devizes, said: "The focus of Advice Week 2002 is to push the motto 'help at the heart of your community' and we are hoping that local people will come forward to do just that.

"All you need is spare time each week, an ability to work well in a team and a desire to help people in your own community.

"Either contact myself at the bureau on (01380) 722242 or call the national recruitment line on 08451 264 264."

As well as searching for people to train as advisors, the advice bureau is keen for people to act as trustee board members, to help with IT work, social policy work or with general administrative support.

Although affiliated to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, each office is autonomous.

Nationally, the CAB handles more than 6.1 million inquiries a year, offering practical advice and help to people in cities, towns and villages across the country with problems ranging from housing, debt and the legal system to benefits, family matters and consumer affairs.

Kennet CAB has outreach sites at Marlborough, Pewsey, Tidworth and Erlestoke Prison.

It also offers a home visiting service for those unable to get to their local bureau.