AN advice centre opens its doors for longer hours this week thanks to a £310,000 grant.

As of this week Basildon’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau will now open every Thursday morning from 9.30am until 12pm after the Big Lottery gave it cash to expand.

Thanks to the donation more residents will be able to seek help with problems including benefits, debt, employment, housing, immigration, tax, family and local information.

The CAB has teamed up with other advice providers Impact Welfare Rights Advice Service, DIAL Basildon & South Essex, The Basildon Community Resource Centre, Birkett Long Solicitors, Signpost Basildon and Christians Against Poverty (CAP) to access the funding.

A spokesperson from the charity said: “The two year funded project led by Basildon Borough CAB comes as a direct and timely response to the challenging circumstances local advice providers and those dependent on their services are facing.”