SAVING money can be difficult, especially when you are on a tight budget or have a young family.

Sale West Credit Union offers help and support, as well as an affordable way to save and borrow money, for anyone living in the M33 area.

Management board members and retired postmasters, Avtar and Gladys Diggwa, are both volunteers at Sale West Credit Union, on Newbury Avenue, which has been established for almost 20 years.

The scheme works by offering a savings plan where money can be safely invested then, after 12 weeks, a loan can be taken out for twice the amount saved and paid back in low interest manageable payments.

They currently have almost 800 members and are keen to offer their service to more.

Avtar said: “We encourage both thrift and saving and are happy to offer advice to anyone finding their finances a struggle.

“There has been an increase in demand for our services recently and we are hoping to open more branches as well as offer a crisis fund for those in severe need, in a bid to combat the pay day lender.”

The Sale West branch is open twice a week, Monday between 9.30 – 11.30am and again on Thursday evenings, from 7 until 8.30pm. There is also a collection office in Sale Moor and, with both planning for longer opening hours, more volunteers and investors are being sought.

For more information on saving with the credit union, or to volunteer, contact Avtar on 07802876318 or avtar.diggwa@ntlworld.com.