SPREADING the news about loans and savings services offered by the local community bank will be an easier task thanks to a £5,000 grant.

Eden and South Lakeland Credit Union will use the cash from Unity Bank to improve on-line information for its hundreds of members - and to boost their numbers.

“The objective is to bring a better user experience to members,” said ESLCU acting chair Eve Martin.

“The grant money will be specifically used to improve our website in order to attract more new members to ESLCU.”

News of the grant has delighted the volunteers who run the credit union from bases in Penrith, Kendal and Alston. One of them, Hilary Claxton, said: “I think it’s vital that we have a website that our members like using, that enables them to find out more about the loans and savings schemes available to help them manage their finances.

“I chose to volunteer with the credit union because I think a family’s finances sometimes need a helping hand rather than a hand-out, to help people to help themselves.”

Unity Bank officials faced a difficult decision-making process in making grants: more than 40 applications were made by organisations for a share of the £70,000 available altogether.

Stephen Thorpe, the new general manager of ESLCU, said: “Grants like this, and support from all members of the local community are what keep credit unions going.”

Starting out in 2013 as EdenSave Credit Union, ESLCU has more than 700 members, saving £400,000.

Since its launch, it has given £400,000 in loans. Its base at Kendal Town Hall is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm, while the office in Penrith’s Devonshire Arcade is open weekdays from 10.30am to 1pm. In Alston it is open at the Town Hall 10.30am to 12.30pm on Thursdays.

The website address is info@edensouthlakeland.com.