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Servicemen and women are being offered a new advice scheme to help with debt.

The service has been launched in response to a British Legion survey which showed that one in five people who benefit from money raised by the annual Poppy Appeal struggle with debt.

The Benefits and Money Advice Service is being run by the Citizens Advice Bureau and is funded by the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. It will be launched by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire John Bush next Wednesday at the Aspire Business Centre in Tidworth.

The pilot service is one of 20 being run across England and Wales over the next three years.

In the survey, one in five Poppy Day beneficiaries cited debt as one of the most prevalent difficulties in their lives. Those who have served for between three and five years struggle the most.

Sandra Long, bureau manager at Kennet Citizens Advice Bureau said confidential, free and impartial information on a range of issues including tax credits, benefits, housing, family and debt would be offered.

People would be able to call into offices in Devizes, Tidworth, Warminster and Bulford.

Housebound people would be able to get home visits and a telephone advice service would cover the whole of Wiltshire.

The Royal British Legion county manager Monika Geoghegan said the new collaboration would provide much-needed additional support to both serving and former Service personnel and to their families.

Ernie Bohm of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, said: "At a time when serving and ex-Service people are faced with ever-increasing pressure from all sides, it is imperative that charities work together, pooling our resources and expertise."

12:04pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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