A mystery benefactor has come to the rescue of Wickford Citizens' Advice Bureau.

The struggling organisation's management committee agreed a rescue package which will keep it afloat for at least another year.

Manager Diane Storey revealed the committee's decision had been prompted by a sizeable donation of cash. However, she refused to disclose the amount - or who the generous wellwisher was.

Mrs Storey said the donation had come as "both a surprise and a lifeline". She added: "We are looking to do more not less in spite of our difficulties.

"New funding will constantly be sought to extend the service but all bureaux find that they have to depend on local councils for their basic running costs."

The crunch meeting discussed the future of the bureau, which ran into financial difficulties last year after being allocated £33,000 by Basildon Council towards this year's running costs.

Even with a supplementary grant of £3,000, this fell well short of the amount it needed.

However, Mrs Storey went into yesterday's meeting confident the committee would be able to thrash out a rescue package.

Following the meeting, she confirmed a budget had been agreed which would ensure the service would continue for the next 12 months.

Treasurer Eddie Evans stressed at the meeting that every cash saving that could be made had been.

He added that was however complicated by the bureau's need to redecorate its High Street headquarters as part of a lease agreement.

l Staff and managers at Billericay CAB will discuss its future at a similar meeting on August 1.

The bureau is also facing financial problems, having been awarded £32,000 by Basildon Council, plus a top-up grant of £3,000.

It also argues that is not enough to cover its running costs.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.