A MALDON advice service has been handed a £3,000 grant to enable it to help more people who are housebound.

The town’s Citizens Advice Bureau was among 22 charities and organisation in Essex to receive a share of £62,365 at the Essex County Council Millennium and Chairman’s Fund Awards.

Grants totalling £62,365 were presented from the two funds at a ceremony held at the Essex Record Office.

The cash was handed over by County Hall chairman John Aldridge.

Derek Hall of Maldon CAB said: “We are thrilled to receive this support and the £3,000 grant will help us to continue and expand our outreach and home visiting services for people, whose physical or mental health or caring responsibilities, makes it difficult for them to leave their homes.”

The funds, managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF), provide support for community and voluntary organisations whose good work enhances the lives of people living in Essex.

Mr Aldridge said: “It is a privilege to be in the position where I can learn about the Essex voluntary sector and I can honestly say that my time spent visiting groups has been heart-warming.

“I have been most encouraged to see local people coming together with a common aim of making their own community spaces a better place to live and work for all.”