WORK is set to start on a new walk-in centre for the Royal British Legion in the town centre in the coming days, ready for an opening next month.

The Regent Street site will mean former service personnel, and families of service personnel, will be able to seek face-to-face help when it is needed.

It will also provide an easy stop-off point for anyone looking to find out about historical records of anyone who has served in the forces.

The centre, based in what is now an empty shop, will open to the public on December 15 from Monday to Friday every week.

“This will be a great service for people who have worked in the services and their relations,” said Isobel Thompson, advice and information officer for the RBL.

“The Royal British Legion has been providing help to people since 1921, long before the Welfare State existed.

“The poppy is one of the most easily recognised charity symbols in the country, especially around this time of year.

“A lot of people, though, do not realise the charity does work all around the year and having this pop-in centre will change that. Those who need assistance will be able to come in and speak to someone straight away.

“There will also be computers at the centre which people can access and look into old war records.”

The walk-in centre will be based on the ground floor and a new headquarters for the Wiltshire and Somerset RBL branches will be located on the second floor. While being the driving force behind the Poppy Appeal every year, the RBL provides a huge array of support to former service personnel.

This can range from helping with housing problems as well as financial and mobility issues.

Isobel said: “The walk-in centre is ideally placed for us within the town.

“We are close to the cenotaph and other services such as Citizens’ Advice Bureau, the Job Centre and the council offices.

“Therefore if we can’t help then we can point them in the direction of someone who can.

“Although we have been providing support for some time, the walk-in centre is a relatively new concept and we are looking forward to opening.”