A TRAILBLAZING service which has helped the housebound claim nearly half a million pounds is threatened with closure.

The Bridport Citizens Advice Bureau’s Home Visiting Team has helped 204 people over the past three years.

But its National Lottery funding has ended and managers have only enough to keep it going for another couple of months.

Bureau manager Martin Paley warned that the service needed about £25,000 a year to run.

“In the Bridport area we have a need for this type of service.

It is for disabled people primarily and people who are housebound.

“It is often about benefit entitlement and making sure people are getting the money they are supposed to.”

He added: “The funded ended last week.

“We have squirreled some money away for this eventuality but it will only last for a few months.

“We are looking around for other forms of funding to keep the service going.”

The service helped 204 new clients.

Staff and volunteers carried out 5,436 pieces of work done on a client’s behalf.

They help people claim about £455,388 of financial benefits every year. Mr Paley said the service would need a salaried member of staff with experience, ability and knowledge to lead a team of volunteers.

With employer costs and mileage included, the cost would be about £25,000 for a year.

He said: “We are seeing more and more medical applications where people have been turned down for benefits.”