A service which provides free legal and debt advice is struggling to plug a £30,000 shortfall in finances.

The Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB), a service which many consider an essential community resource, is now having to take drastic cost-cutting measures to keep its offices in Brighton and Hove running.

There are no plans to close Brighton and Hove's CAB but its organisers say it is desperately trying to stave off a massive overspend.

The bureau made an unsuccessful bid to the Big Lottery Fund to expand its services but will now have to look at how to make savings instead.

It was expecting a £60,000 debt left over from this financial year but managed to halve that figure by drawing on its reserves.

This still leaves it having to find at least £30,000 of savings in an attempt to prevent a repeat of last year's overspend.

The closure of the Co-op in London Road, Brighton, where the city's main CAB office is located, could cause further strains.

Jeff Taylor, Chairman of Brighton and Hove Citizens' Advice Bureau Trustee Board, said: "There are no plans at present to close any bureau outlets or outreach services, and people in need of advice will continue to benefit from exactly the same service.

"But it is clear that we will have to take some bold decisions about the way the service is run, if we are to prevent a recurring overspend."

Brighton and Hove Citizens' Advice Bureau is run mainly from its offices at the Co-op and by the Town Hall in Tisbury Road, Hove.

Advice is given on debt, benefits, housing, employment, consumer issues, family issues, discrimination, civil rights and health.

Brighton and Hove City Council gives the CAB £133,000 each year.

A spokeswoman said: "We are helping the CAB to look for new premises in the city when the Co-op closes."