A NEW chapter will begin next week when the Test Valley Citizens Advice Bureau is born. Romsey and District and Andover Citizens Advice Bureaux are merging on Tuesday (July 1) and the new charity will be headed by Ange Moon who will responsible for the overall strategy and management of services provided by the organisation.

Existing Romsey and Andover CAB offices will remain open.

Reassuring clients that they will not see any changes to the service they receive, Miss Moon said: “We will still have the two offices in Andover and Romsey where staff and highly qualified volunteers give advice on a huge range of problems including benefits, debt and consumer issues. That will not change and we will continue to provide a home visiting service throughout the borough.

“The merger gives us a chance to develop services. It will make us a stronger, larger organisation, able to expand in the future to meet local needs.”

Between them Romsey and Andover CABS have given advice to more than 11,000 clients over the last year.

Cash to support the work comes from Test Valley Borough Council, and grants from Romsey Town Council and parish authorities in the area.

The CAB has also just launched a mobile outreach help and advice service at North Baddesley and bosses are looking into extending the facility in the future.

Mis Moon added: “Not everyone can get to us in office opening hours but advice can also be given by telephone or email and Citizens Advice has a public website, adviceguide.org.uk, so people can get information using the internet. However, for some people and for some problems only face-to-face help will do. That is why it is so important to us that the Romsey and Andover offices are open for anyone to come in and get free help, advice and information on almost any subject.”