A petition has been set up to save the Citizens' Advice Bureau in King's Lynn, which is set to close on June 1.

As reported, the 37 volunteers, and two part-time paid staff, at the centre in St Nicholas Street were told last week the decision had been made because West Norfolk Council would no longer fund its core service.

Adrian Lawrence, the borough council's cabinet member for community and housing, has urged the CAB to call its creditors to see if it can be saved.

Meanwhile, CAB bosses have already pledged to fight the decision and a petition set up by Labour party activist Jo Rust already has more than 230 signatures since the weekend.

She said: 'We must ensure that people in King's Lynn are not left without such a valuable service.

'The CAB in Lynn has helped people deal with £1.6m worth of debt, yet the council is refusing to fund it. Ordinary people will face so many problems without this vital service to support them. We need to force the council to provide the money necessary to secure its future.'

Nick Gooderson, a volunteer at the branch, said the closure would leave Lynn as the only town in Norfolk without a core CAB presence, and added that it would be a 'disaster for many people, but particularly the disadvantaged'.

Gaynor Doy, advice session supervisor for King's Lynn's CAB, said they still intended to continue an outreach service, and would be campaigning to get the decision reversed. The CAB is urging people to contact their borough councillor with their views.

The service has been in Lynn for about 20 years.

Mr Lawrence said: 'I'm shocked and concerned at their announcement. I would ask them to contact their creditors to see if we can find a way forward to keep this service open. We don't want to see it go.'

sign the petition at www.change.org/p/cllr-nick-daubney-save-king-s-lynn-citizens-advice-bureau?

How will the office's closure affect you? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk