Top tips to beat the credit crunch have been unleashed by a council - as more companies sign up the Argus's own money-saving campaign.

West Sussex County Council have launched new classes to teach folk about saving cash.

In the first of the sessions, council workers and community volunteers showed people how they could better look after their pennies.

Classes were held on proper budgeting, growing your own vegetables, eating healthily and how to use the internet to find the best prices.

The sessions, run by the council’s adult education service and a local residents’ group at Glebelands day centre in Middle Road Shoreham on Saturday, come as we prepare our own Beat the Credit Crunch Campaign due to launch this Friday.

Angela Paterson, from the council’s adult and community learning service, said: "We are running this course in conjunction with Southlanders, a local residents’ group.

"It’s a taster day of sessions on surviving the credit crunch and showing people how they can make their money go further.

"We had four sessions in the morning and four sessions in the afternoon so everyone could come and do a selection."

Visitors to the sessions were advised on how to use price comparison websites, to buy food that can be frozen in 2 for 1 offers and the advantages of using direct debit and standing orders to pay bills.

Norma Giles, 69, from Fairfields Close, Shoreham, was one of the many people to give the courses a go.

She said: "With all of the recent price increases of things, I wanted to see if I could save some money.

"It’s been very informative."

Andy Bray, a 57-year-old local resident from the Southlanders group, said: "We identified one of the major needs in the area was to improve the education of adults post-16, but how could we get them through the door?

"Working in conjunction with Angela we came up with a day of these taster sessions that will show people how to survive the credit crunch."

Southlanders and West Sussex County Council are planning a further course on November 15 at the Glebelands Centre on how to save the pennies and the pounds over Christmas.

For more information visit www.westsussex.gov.uk or southlanders1.pbwiki.com Meanwhile The Argus will be bringing you all the latest hints and tips to help you beat the crunch.

We’ll also be printing at least six unbeatable offers from your favourite local and national brands to make your pounds go further.

Our weekly double-page spread will tell you where you can find the best deals on everything from petrol prices to pizza.

As well as saving cash on food and drink there will also be the chance to get theatre tickets at slashed prices.

This Friday, vouchers will be available for Cafe Rouge, Subway, The Priory Restaurant in Haywards Heath, Eastbourne Theatre and more.

The Food on Friday supplement will also give people the chance to claim a free bottle of Cava when dining at Pinxtopeople.

So donít miss The Argus on Friday.

If you are a trader or a business with an offer please let The Argus know by contacting Naomi Loomes at naomi.loomes@theargus.co.uk or Emily-Ann Elliott at emily.elliott@theargus.co.uk or call Naomi on 01273 544547.