An MP joined staff and volunteers in opening a brand-new advice bureau on Portland.

Richard Drax paid a visit to the isle for the opening of the Citizens Advice centre in Fortuneswell on Friday (19).

Volunteers, staff and councillors all came together to celebrate the launch of the centre which will be open four days a week to offer help and advice to residents.

Mr Drax said: “The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has been an extremely useful reference point for me.

“I often find myself advising constituents to go to CABs for all kinds of advice that I don’t have the experience to deal with.

“An asset like this on Portland is invaluable. Thanks in particular should go to the volunteers who don’t get paid and do this out of love.”

The centre will offer advice on issues such as benefits, work, debt and housing. It will be welcomed by Portland residents who, up until now, have had to travel to the Weymouth and Portland Citizens Advice site in Weymouth town centre to get help.

Manager Helen Goldsack said: “We are expanding to be open four days and week, to offer specialist debt and Universal Credit appointments as well. We are still using our partners Wyvern Credit Union and First Point Dorset.

"It's really important to have a presence here on Portland as residents and volunteers find it challenging to travel to the main office in Weymouth. Citizens Advice is here to stay."

Cllr Gill Taylor, Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, said: "I think it's brilliant and it's in a really good location because it will help people on this side of Weymouth as well as the people of Portland.

"Portland has its issues but it needs more places like this and it needs more investment into this type of facility.

"I'm delighted it's opening and I'm very pleased to be here today."