ELLESMERE Port and Neston MP Justin Madders has called for "an immediate halt" to plans to close the town's Citizens Advice office.

Mr Madders has written to Citizens Advice Cheshire West chair of trustees, Geoff Hope-Terry, asking for "a full public consultation and consideration of alternatives" before any final decision is made.

The Standard reported on Monday that the Whitby Road base was being closed and instead services would be offered from local venues – known as dedicated Community Access Points (CoAPs).

Citizens Advice Cheshire West said the Ellesmere Port office is unsuitable for social distancing and that a large number of clients are now accessing support via telephone and online.

For those who prefer to meet face-to-face, services will be offered at a number of CoAPs.

Mr Madders wrote: "I am writing to you to express my disappointment and objection at the decision to close down the Ellesmere Port office of the CAB which I have just read about on social media.

“I was aware from the council that this was being discussed but I was expecting some contact from yourselves and a public consultation before any decisions were made.

“As a consequence I have serious concerns about the ability of the CAB to provide the excellent service it has done in the past.”

Chief executive Jason Bishop said: “Dedicated Community Access Points (CoAPs) will be safe and confidential places where people can use our services in a variety of ways.

"This could be as simple as using a telephone at the venue to call our free advice line, or it could be by having a pre-arranged face-to-face appointment with one of our staff or volunteers.

"CoAPs can enable people to have a video appointment, and they will often be places that our clients already go to for other support (such as foodbanks or community centres, or schools).

"Our ambition is to have an access point in every council ward in Cheshire West and Chester."