Wantage residents will be able to access social services directly when the town's Local Services Point hosts a special surgery, next Monday.

In response to demand, Oxfordshire social services is sending an adviser to the centre in Grove Street, Wantage, from 9am to 5pm.

No appointment is necessary and queries will be dealt with confidentially.

The centre's manager, Tracey Matthews, said: "This will help clients who find it difficult to travel to Oxford.

"It is part of our commitment to working with other agencies to meet the needs of the community. We hope that this surgery will be the first of many."

The Local Services Point is a one-stop shop operated by the Vale of White Horse District Council. It offers information and advice on local government as well as voluntary and charitable organ- isations.

Regular surgeries are held by local district councillors, council planning and housing departments, the benefits agency and careers advisers.