Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

If you atre struggling financially, help might be at hand.

Wiltshire residents worried about paying their bills or losing their job are being offered free advice through a new advice line.

The dedicated telephone number - 0844 375 2775 - will provide fast, free help. From Friday October 2, anyone struggling with their rent or mortgage, worried about their job or facing redundancy can get help and advice by calling the helpline.

The helpline is run by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and is staffed by a dedicated team of professionals who will also be able to offer help with benefit and housing advice and planning a budget and developing a plan to manage debt. The helpline is one of the priority actions being taken through Wiltshire Assembly's 'Action for Wiltshire' campaign to tackle the effects of the recession in the county and provide support and help to residents and businesses.

Wiltshire Council has provided £290,000 to the CAB to help the service deal with the increase in demand for help from people because of the recession. Road shows are being held across the county to promote the new helpline. CAB and WC housing and benefits staff will be available to provide advice and information.

The road shows will be in town centres from 11am to 2pm during October, the first one will be at the Town Bridge in Chippenham on Friday (October 2). The next will be in Fore Street in Trowbridge on October 9, then Market Place in Devizes on October 15 and Guildhall Square in Salisbury on October 27.