A RURAL advice service has secured a major funding package worth almost £350,000.

The Rural Cambs Citizens' Advice Bureau provides frontline welfare advice to residents of Fenland and East Cambridgeshire.

It has been awarded £345,162 under a £67m joint initiative from the Government and the Big Lottery Fund.

The initiative aims to boost support for not-for-profit advice organisations in England over two years.

Local MP Steve Barclay described the funding as great news for Fenland residents who relied on CAB advice for help in their social welfare arrangements.

"This move is a clear sign that the government and the Big Lottery fund are committed to supporting people in need of guidance about the welfare system," he said.

"It is a really great investment and comes at an important time for local services."

This year over 80% of the partnerships that applied for funding were successful in obtaining a grant as part of a wide-ranging government initiative.

The plan aims to improve social welfare advice services and support collaborative action between agencies in North East Cambridgeshire.

This extra funding would enable CAB centres in the Fens to continue providing a great service to the community, said Mr Barclay.

It also meant people with queries about their social welfare needs would be able to benefit from the advice for many years to come.