REDDITCH people are being encouraged to join a co-operative that has already helped scores of residents who found themselves spiralling into debt.

Unlike high street banks and money lending companies, Credit Union, which opened about two and a half years ago on Unicorn Hill, is a co-operative society which is run almost entirely by volunteers.

People can become a member for £2 a year and can start saving with as little as £1.

When they have been a member for 10 weeks, they can apply for a loan of up to two and a half times the amount they have saved.

When that loan has been repaid in the agreed time, a second and possibly larger loan can be applied for.

Redditch Credit Union Ltd is currently in negotiation with its counterparts in Bromsgrove and Worcester to form a countywide union to serve all parts of Worcestershire.

The present membership in Redditch is 800, with 200 in Bromsgrove and 700 in Worcester but it is hoped the amalgamation will increase membership to at least double that number.

Anyone who would like help managing their income and expenses can visit Redditch Credit Union every week day, apart from Tuesday, from 10.30am-2.30pm or on Saturdays from 10am-12.30pm.

l Above: Michael Herbert (left), Margaret Callender, Karen Lake and Dot Dudley. 1144