TOWNSFOLK struggling to pay off mounting bills or in need of a loan after Christmas are being urged to turn to Redditch Credit Union for help and advice, writes Becky Procter.

The branch, which was originally set up in Batchley, has been open on Unicorn Hill for about a year and already 1,000 people across the town have used the facility.

Designed for people who have trouble gaining a bank account because of certain circumstances, the service offers very low-interest loans and a bill paying facility.

The service is given £15,000 a year funding from Redditch Council for a co-ordinator but the people who help run it are all volunteers.

The spokesman said many people had used the service to pay for holidays and have just saved so much money a week.

Advice for people who are in severe financial trouble is also offered by a loans officer and as much as £100 can be borrowed to help people in dire need.

The service, which has an annual turnover of £50,000, needs at least 1,000 more members this year to be sustainable.