FOREST MP Mark Harper officially opened the new offices of the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB).

The Bureau has moved to the Forest Road Centre in Cinderford from its long-term home at the Cinderford Town Council offices.

Mr Harper said: "The CAB does tremendous work in helping people at what are often difficult times and it is a great pleasure to open these new offices.

"My office works very closely with Citizens' Advice – very often we pass on people who need more detailed help than we can provide and we can help their clients who are having problems with government departments."

Over the last year the bureau has seen more than 3,000 people and 70 per cent of enquiries were related to debt and benefits.

CAB manager Lynne Teague said: "We're delighted that Mr Harper was able to join us to officially open our new premises.

"We have moved to the Forest Road Centre but that is the only difference that clients will notice.

"We're sad to leave Cinderford Town Council and we're grateful for the wonderful relationship we have had with them.

"Last year we identified annual benefit gains in excess of £1 milllion for clients and dealt with £1 million of priority debt including mortgage and Council Tax arrears and £400,000 of non-priority debt such as credit cards and loans."

For opening times, appointments and other information call the CAB on 08444 111 444 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.