THE axe is poised over a Winchester benefits advice service that has helped hundreds of people.

The adult services department of Hampshire County Council is to end an annual contract worth £20,700 for Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau to run a mental health benefits advice service.

A CAB adviser who visits patients at Melbury Lodge psychiatric hospital, Connaught House day hospital, and people with severe mental health problems, will be made redundant. A joint statement by Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Partner-ship NHS Trust said there had been a review of funding.