AN IDEA by Caldicot church leaders to open a community aid centre was backed by the town council.

Mayor Maria Stevens said members voted unanimously in favour of plans she put forward at Wednesday’s town council meeting for the centre, which could be the first point of contact for people who may need advice about money or problems with drugs and domestic abuse.

Cllr Stevens said there used to be such a centre in Caldicot around 15 years ago on Church Road, but it had to close due to a lack of funding and it is now the Citizens Advice Bureau.

She said local Reverend Lyndon Harrison and Caldicot police told her residents need a centre, run by volunteers, which will point them in the right direction.

Cllr Stevens said the plans, which would support current schemes like the Street Pastors, were well received by members of the public.

“There is a desperate need for a contact centre in Caldicot with all the issues going on lately and we feel there should be some kind of support somewhere.

“It was a very exciting meeting,” she added.

Caldicot already has an advice centre for children aged over 14, called The Zone, but no equivalent for older people.

A steering group will now be set up to put the initial idea into practice and it is hoped an empty building in the town could be utilised.