THOUSANDS more people are now able to access the services of Mid Rossendale Credit Union after it was extended to cover an even greater area.

The savings and loans provider, based in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, was previously only allowed to serve customers from Bacup, Whitworth, Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Edenfield.

But its scope has now been extended in order to accept members from Ramsbottom and other parts of north Bury.

Manager Michele Tarrant said: “I have been managing here for seven years and we have always had people from Ramsbottom and Bury ringing up asking if they can join and enjoy the benefits of saving with a credit union.

“We had to say no because we had to have a ‘common bond’, that is, the area people must live or work in, in order to become a member of the credit union.

“Now that has been extended it has opened up so many more opportunities for us.

“We had a waiting list of people who joined as soon as the change was approved by the Financial Conduct Authority.”

A credit union is a savings and loans club, which is owned by its members and any profits are paid back as a dividend to those members.

Michele said: “We have had a fantastic response from people who live in the Ramsbottom area because they say they feel more affinity to Rossendale.”