A DROP in employment advice centre is to open in Padiham.

The pilot scheme starts on Friday, August 20, from 11am to 1pm and continues each Friday until September 10 in the town centre coffee bar at Padiham Methodist Church, Ribble Street.

Employment advisers from several community and business groups will be offering free advice in informal surroundings.

Community project worker for the Padiham Action group Shirley Ashworth, said the need was identified following last year's closure of Padiham Jobcentre.

Career advice for school leavers will be available from Steve Rowlands, East Lancashire Careers Services Ltd.

East Lancs into Employment will be supporting adult employment inquiries. There will be support and advice from Lesley Heney, lone parent adviser from Burnley Jobcentre.

Dawn Abbott, disability employment adviser, also of Burnley Jobcentre, will be on hand to provide help and advice.

Help will also be available for small businesses or people starting up in business.

Letter-writing facilities will be available along with advice on such things as how to complete application forms, CV production, interview techniques, youth opportunities and where best to look for jobs and new business advice.

if successful efforts will be made to offer a long term service.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.