YOUNG people in the Vale of Evesham are being encouraged to contact the CAB if they need advice - particularly next week designated by the Citizens Advice Bureau as National Advice Week 2000.

Staff at centres in Evesham and Pershore are using the nationwide event to highlight all the benefits the service can offer young people.

Manager, Ruth Davies explained: "We want to reach out to those who may not think of choosing the CAB as the first port of call when they need help.

"We want them to understand that we are an independent totally confidential service which gives free advice without being judgmental in any way."

The local CAB, with 28 trained volunteers, is backed by a huge computer network of sources and information to tap into.

If volunteers cannot find answers to problems themselves, the very least they can do is put clients in touch with the right contacts.

Ms Davies said: "A very 'uptight' young lady of about 17 called in to see us with a friend recently.

"She wanted to leave home but did not know how to go about it, what rights she had, or what benefits there were available to her.

"As soon as she realised we were not going to give her a lecture she completely relaxed and went away with all the information she required.

"We always keep our personal opinions to ourselves and would never moralise, lecture or patronise young people."

Ms Davies , said the team often helped young consumers who were being patronised by traders.

She said: "Young people are more likely to be fobbed off when taking goods back to shops to complain.

"If goods are faulty then it is the shop's responsibility.

"We reassure youngsters that they have the same rights as any other customer, and tell them how to go about making a complaint."

Young people are helped with a whole host of other problems which can range from school uniform wrangles with headteachers, arguments with parents to homelessness and abortion advice.

According to CAB's annual report for the financial year 1999 to 2000, volunteers advised 13,491 clients of all ages at bureaux in Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich.

Top of the list of problems involved debt with more than 3,000 people seeking advice.

Second came consumer problems, with 2,806 people wanting advice while more than 2,000 wanted information on the benefits system.

CAB is funded from local authority grants but this year there is going to be a £10,000 shortfall which means for the first time, volunteers and the two paid staff, Ms Davies and her deputy Margaret Darby will be fund-raising.

"It costs about £74,000 a year to run the bureaux which pays wages, rent, heating and travel costs to volunteers," Ms Davies explained.

"We are compiling a book of celebrity recipes to sell which we hope to help to raise further funds."

New volunteers are always very welcome.

Apart from the 28 trained advisors, three more are in training, and eight clerical and reception volunteers also make up the team.

However, at times, numbers are very depleted - especially during holiday periods - so community-minded people over 18, with about half a day to spare a week, are urged to contact Ms Davies.

The bureau, at 110 High Street, Evesham, is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 3.30pm.

Just one session is held in Pershore at Belle House, Bridge Street from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Ms Davies can be contacted at the Evesham office on 01386 443737.

Contact the CAB in the Cotswolds at: 6a, Horsefair, Chipping Norton, on 01608 641367; 51 Rodney Road, Cheltenham, on 01242 522491, 2/3 The Mews, Cricklade Street, Cirencester, on 01285 652908 and Cornhill House, Cornhill, Banbury, on 01295 264637.

In Stratford, go to 7 Rother Street or dial 01789 293299.