NORTH Wiltshire Citizens' Advice Bureau has been forced to cut its opening hours because of a shortage in volunteer advisers.

Afternoon opening will be drastically curtailed and people face longer waits to get vital help and information.

Now the CAB is trying to recruit an army of volunteers to boost the service and resume normal hours again as soon as possible.

"It is really important for the local community," said Barbara Oatley,who is responsible for volunteer recruitment.

"It isn't at all good to be reducing the hours. I suspect people may have to wait longer, more people will be packed into a shorter period and it won't be so flexible for people who can't get in during the morning because they are working."

From Monday, the opening hours in Chippenham will be 10am until 1pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. In Corsham, opening hours will be 10am till 1pm on Wednesdays. In Malmesbury, opening hours will be 10am till 3pm on Wednesdays. In Wootton Bassett, opening hours will be 10am till 3pm on Thursdays and in Calne, opening hours will be 10am till 4pm on Tuesdays and 10am till 1pm on Fridays.

Previously the CAB in Chippenham opened till 4pm two days a week, with a late session until 7pm on Thursdays.

Bureau manager Liz Taylor said the board of trustees had taken the difficult decision because of the shortage of people to work in the Chippenham office.

Bureau chairman Steve Abbott said: "We desperately need to recruit more volunteers able to work in Chippenham, particularly in the afternoons."

Ms Oatley said only two of the team of 20 north Wiltshire volunteers came from Chippenham.

Most volunteers work two sessions a week, working as advisers, IT assistants, clerical assistants and on the management committee.

It takes about six months to undergo the training, meeting once a week for a three-hour session with home study as well. Support and back-up is then given from a supervisor.

Volunteers need to have good inter-personal skills.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer should contact Ms Oatley or Ms Taylor on (01249) 443054.