A WELL-USED advice and information service is safe for another year despite funding difficulties.

There had been fears the van operated by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) serving 10 Cheshire villages, including Malpas, might have to reduce or even wind-up its service.

There was an appeal for cash from Malpas Parish Council after it was revealed there was a shortfall of £1,700.

But now the parish council has been told in a letter that the van is funded for the time-being.

'They have got enough money to run the van until next April,' said chairman councillor Ann Wright, who added that the charity had no contingencies in case of unforeseen expenditure.

The meeting was told the CAB has applied for a grant from Cheshire Community Council and would be approaching the National Lottery for funding.

Cllr Wright said one possibility was for CAB to hire out community rooms instead of using the van.

She commented: 'The £1,700 is not as pressing as it was but they would like a bit of something. It's better news than it was last month.'

Cllr Eric Bickley supported giving a donation to the service: 'I would hate to see it go from here because it does get well used.'

Cllr Anna Patten agreed, saying she would like the council to give a small donation in recognition of the work carried out by CAB. A grant of £200 was approved by members.

The CAB said it was struggling to fund the van because local authority funding from Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council and Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council was not enough.