NO ONE comes in to Christchurch Citizens Advice Bureau because they are having a good day, said manager Christine Cook.

But entering the Sopers Lane office was the first step towards improving their lot for thousands of clients during the past year.

Mrs Cook told the CAB annual public meeting on Wednesday that over the past year her team of 12 volunteer advisors had helped ease more than 12,000 problems and lift debts of more than £3.3 million for local people in difficulty.

And extra funding from the Lottery and other sources, coupled with recruitment of new trainee advisors is offering a brighter future for the bureau and the ever-growing numbers of people calling on its expert, free and impartial advice services.

"The Bureau has been as busy as ever," said Mrs Cook, who estimated that the thousands of unpaid hours given by volunteer advisors and administrators would cost £68,000 at minimum wage levels.

"There is no doubt that Christchurch Citizens Advice Bureau is value for money," she said.

Debt and benefits issues remained the most frequent cause for contacting the CAB and a pilot scheme working with Twynham Housing Association to help tenants in arrears has tackled combined debts of more than £500,000 in its first nine months.

Bureau advisors also helped clients with benefits problems and employment issues including negotiating a successful resolution in seven cases without going to a tribunal hearing.

Despite the budget constraints which reduced the service to three hours a week and stretched average waiting times to six weeks the bureau's home visiting service also produced results helping housebound clients obtain some £17,000 in extra benefits allowing them to stay in their own homes instead of going into residential care.

CAB chairman Paul Solomons said the past year had been the least eventful of his six-year reign and he paid tribute to Mrs Cook, her staff, the army of volunteers and the sponsors including Christchurch council whose £50,000 grant accounted for more than a third of the bureau's income.

Mayor Cllr Josephine Spencer, who has chosen the CAB among her pet charities for the year, said: "We are very, very fortunate indeed to have someone like Christine and over 40 volunteers to give their time and talents for the benefit of all those who need help in our borough."