WHEN people get into difficulties with money or housing matters it is sometimes hard to know where to turn.

Legal and financial advice can be expensive and out of reach for the majority of ordinary working people.

Which is why the free service offered by Citizens Advice Scotland is a lifeline to thousands every year looking for help to get their life back on track.

The volunteer staff have for decades been the people who have put countless folk on the road to recovery or helped them get redress in a situation where they have been wronged.

Most of us won't know just how effective and important the service is until we need it and we should be glad it is there for those who do.

The service needs to be supported and in times when many people are facing financial problems whether they are in work or not it is as vital as ever that the service is able to continue.

This week we want to pay tribute to the staff and volunteers of Citizens Advice Scotland who work selflessly to ensure there is free professional advice available for people in their time of need.