THE new west Wiltshire citizen's advice bureau in Trowbridge received an important visitor this week.

Sir Graham Hart, chairman of the national association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, was in the county to endorse the new service, launched in May, two years after funding problems caused the service in the town to collapse.

Sir Graham said: "The high demand for the service indicates there is a great need for a CAB in this area.

"The closure of the CAB in August 2000 would have been a huge blow.

"I think it is a marvellous achievement by all the staff and volunteers to get this bureau up and running in such a short time."

The service has been very much in demand since it opened. It is hoped staff can soon offer an enhanced telephone service and increased opening times, and new volunteers are being sought to make this possible.

Manager Sarah Cardy said: "Volunteers are the lifeblood of the CAB, without them there would not be a service."

Anyone with eight hours a week to spare, who is open-minded and enjoys a challenge should contact Kirsty Field on (01225) 761944.