BLACKBURN Citizen's Advice Bureau has been recognised for the high quality of its advice on welfare benefit law.

The bureau has become the first in the country to obtain a Solicitor Legal Aid Franchise - an award presented for work carried out by the bureau..

The Legal Aid Board carried out an audit at the bureau before approving the franchise and gave it a rating of more than 80 per cent for quality.

The bureau, in the St John's Centre, Victoria Street, Blackburn, deals with all types of benefit issues and has around 450 appeals waiting to be heard.

Bureau solicitor David Dickinson said he was delighted the hard work of all the volunteer advisers, management committee members and paid staff had been recognised.

Ann Minoprio, the acting manager, said it was good for the people of Blackburn and Darwen to have access to such high quality advice.

The CAB intends to apply for a welfare benefit franchise for the Darwen bureau and in other areas of law.

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