AN outreach service which is once again giving Leominster residents access to free, independent advice has helped dozens of people since it was launched last October.

Leominster Town Council put forward £5,000 to enable Herefordshire CAB to offer a bi-weekly face-to-face service in the North Herefordshire town for six months, starting from mid-October.

The former Leominster branch of the CAB closed its doors for good in May 2015, following the withdrawal of services in Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury and Bromyard due to funding cuts.

Those who need advice are still initially assessed via email or over the phone but are offered face to face advice if needed.

In a short update to Leominster Town Council council, Herefordshire CAB said that since October, it had conducted 52 assessments for Leominster residents. The assessments resulted in 40 enquiries – where advice is actually given.

It had booked 17 face-to-face outreach appointments, including specialist level such as Macmillan Cancer Support, and says the financial outcome in savings for those it has helped is £117,386.82 so far.

A full report is set to be submitted at a later date.