A charity's Norfolk office has closed in a bid to save costs and boost fundraising efforts.

Macmillan Cancer Support's fundraisers in Norfolk are now 'mobile' to devote more time to working alongside the charity's army of volunteers and supporters across the county.

It means the charity's county office in De Vere House, Saint Faiths Lane, Norwich, has now closed its doors and all of its fundraising team is working remotely in the community.

Anyone hoping to get in touch with the fundraising team will have to call the support centre number, which is for offices based in Shipley, West Yorkshire, or will have to email a central email address.

The Norwich office is one of several local branches which has closed nationwide.

Helen Chapman, pictured, fundraising manager for Norfolk and Suffolk, said: 'Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face and we have bold plans to change and improve the support that people affected by cancer in Norfolk receive. This means raising more funds, for which we need the continued fantastic support of local people more than ever. We believe that the way to do this is to work more closely alongside our volunteers and supporters in local communities across the county.'

Macmillan provides practical, medical, emotional and financial support for people with cancer and their families.

In Norfolk, there are currently more than 50 Macmillan health and social care professionals, including Macmillan nurses, doctors, dieticians and occupational therapists.

The charity's local Macmillan Welfare Rights Service also helped people living in Norfolk claim more than �400,000 in benefits in 2009.

And its fundraising groups across Norfolk last year raised more than �250,000 to support people affected by cancer.

Ms Chapman added: 'It makes sense for our fundraisers to be more mobile, out and about in the local community working with volunteers and supporters face to face, rather than being sited in a single office.

'There will inevitably be a saving on office costs which we can plough back into cancer services.'

To contact the Macmillan fundraising team, call the Macmillan fundraising support centre on 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk.

Have you got a story for the Evening News? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.