AN organisation that helps people and families in Tenbury and Ludlow in difficult financial circumstances has had a Christmas fundraiser.

The Tenbury No Interest Loans Scheme held a mini-market at St Mary’s church in the town.

Founded in Tenbury, it now also supports people living in Ludlow.

The pioneering fund makes loans worth up to £400 in the form of credits that can be used with local businesses to buy items such as essential kitchen equipment, school uniforms and even computers.

People can make repayments in manageable amounts which can be as little as £1 a week.

No interest or administration charges are made and the idea of the scheme is that it enables people to purchase essentials.

Most of the customers are unlikely to be eligible for conventional credit and would only be able to borrow from very high-interest lenders or even loan sharks.

The idea behind the NILS scheme was brought to the UK from Australia by its founder Jane Newton.