CRAVEN Citizens' Advice has been given a lifeline to ensure its office stays open in Skipton.

Craven District Council said an annual grant of £20,000 would be guaranteed for the next three years, after which it would be subject to review.

Discussions are also under way for possible office space in the town hall, the policy committee was told.

The bureau was one of several organisations to lose its annual core grant from the council following the ending of the scheme almost two years ago.

Organisations, including Settle Swimming Pool, were given help in becoming self-sufficient, but the CAB was unique in relying entirely for its funding from statutory organisations.

In the past two years, the CAB, which this year received its last agreed grant of £17,000 from the council, had made savings by merging with Harrogate and Ripon.

But without ongoing funding, it would have to close its office in Skipton, councillors were told.

Sharon Hudson, communications and partnerships manager, said the CAB had indicated the office would have to be replaced with an outreach service without further funding. She also pointed out that Harrogate Borough Council gave an annual grant of £114,000 and that Craven District Council gave the lowest amount of all North Yorkshire district councils.

Cllr Philip Barrett (Ind) said the organisation carried out vital work and he was pleased to support the awarding of the grant.

Cllr John Dawson (Cons), who was also supportive, reminded members that all organisations who had formerly received core funding from the council carried out vital work.

And although the council was no longer able to support them, he urged individual councillors to do what they could.

Through its office in Skipton, the CAB carries out outreach services at Settle Health Centre, Ingleborough Community Centre and Bentham Medical Practice.

Jon Wilkinson, advice service manager at Craven CAB, said: "We are delighted the council has committed to continuing their funding of the work of the Citizens Advice in Craven.

"Without this financial support, our service in Craven would have substantially reduced."

The service helped more than 1,600 people in Craven last year with free and confidential advice on issues including housing, money, benefits and rights in the workplace.

"We work in partnership with many other local organisations, but there is no similar advice service in the district," he said.

"The local Citizens Advice is needed as much as ever, as the benefits system becomes more complex and household debt increases. Most of our work is done by volunteer advisers, who provide help and advice face-to-face in Skipton or our outreach services, by telephone, or by email. We are very pleased that this service will continue for 2016."