Wharfedale residents are again being offered professional help to manage their finances by debt-counselling charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP).

The organisation has trained four members of The Bridge Christian Fellowship, All Saints Church and Christchurch in Ilkley to run a three-week money management course, which will start on Friday, May 2, at The Sanctuary on Church Street, near All Saints Church, in Ilkley.

The sessions teach budgeting skills and a simple cash-based money management system, as well as overall advice on how to live within your means and save for future expenses.

Church member and CAP money coach Joan Haines said: “The CAP money course is for everyone and just as relevant in Wharfedale as anywhere else.

“There’s still a need in Ilkley and Wharfedale for this course, since money management affects everyone.

“We have had gap year students and older people on the course and all have connected with it. That shows the quality of the course we are teaching. We want to help people to gain more control over their finances so that they can budget, spend, save and prevent debt.”

Groups are shown a DVD and complete activities with the help of coaches. They can then go on to re-structure their finances and can access further help through CAP if needed.

The next course takes place at The Sanctuary, 6 Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DS (next to All Saints Parish Church), starting at 7.30pm and ending at 9.30 pm on Friday, May 2. The next two sessions take place at 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Fridays, May 9 and May 16.

To find out more about the CAP money course or to book your place, phone Jeff McQuillan on 07811 107 607.