By Anna Edwards

anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk

A consumer advice service is being cut by Croydon Council - despite it being the only one of its kind in the borough.

A Trading Standards consumer adviser offers face-to-face advice, studies contracts and writes letters on behalf of clients.

But the job is being axed as the council has decided national help-lines like Consumer Direct offer the same advice.

But local Citizens Advice Bureau adviser Giala Murray worries that the cut, which will happen in April, will severely disadvantage Croydon residents.

She said: "She offers so much more than a help-line ever could. This will affect everyone, because we are all consumers.

"There is no one else in the borough who can offer the same specialist advice, spend time going through contracts or has such detailed knowledge of local businesses.

"Advisers on the help-line are limited in their time and resources, so they won't be able to help like she can.

"I think the council is making a mistake, this is a vital service."

Ms Murray says the elderly and vulnerable could be especially affected by the job being axed.

She explained: "A lot of older people aren't confident using the phone, and these help-lines need people to be articulate about their problem - so if you're unsure about exactly what's worrying you, it's difficult to explain."

The Citizens Advice Bureau organises appointments with the adviser.

Ms Murray added: "Her sessions are always jam-packed, so there's a real need for her role to stay."

But a Croydon Council spokesman insisted the cut would not affect residents.

He said: "We regularly review the services we provide to ensure that we offer the best possible value for money.

"We look at what we offer and what is available from other public bodies.

"We are absolutely sure that council taxpayers would not expect to be paying for staff to do things that are already on offer elsewhere.

"In the case of consumer advice there is a national trend to move away from local services."