MANAGER Christine Garner, honoured with an MBE in the Queen's New Year list for services to the Citizens Advice Bureau, is stepping down after 22 years.

She hands over the reigns to her long standing deputy, Mark Pilling, and will work part-time as quality manager, dealing with the Community Legal Services Partnership, work which also contributed to her award.

Christine, who lives in Golborne, has led the Leigh office's growth from a tiny four room set-up dealing with 3000 enquiries a year with a team of eight advisers, to its current base on The Avenue dealing with 22,000 enquiries a year and a team of 35 advisers and 16 paid staff.

She said: "I'm delighted to hand over to Mark who will now be responsible for overseeing that the bureau continues to provide a quality service to the people of Leigh."

Leigh born Mark, 39, says one of his first priorities is to increase the number of voluntary advisers.

Married with two children he started doing voluntary work at the Atherton CAB when he left university and was seeking a job.

"I needed some work experience for my CV and ended up applying for the post of deputy manager when it became available in Leigh in 1987. I've been here ever since."

"I am looking forward to my new role. I feel like the bureau is mine now and I can guide it."

Mark's plan to recruit more volunteers will help increase the number of clients. particularly through the telephone advice line.

He said at the moment 750 people a month try to ring the bureau for advice but only 200 can get through to speak to an adviser.

He said: "Increasing the number will help to meet this demand."