Wessex Water has launched a new scheme with Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Age UK, to help older people manage their money more effectively.

Entitled Waterworks, the scheme is being run by money advice specialist Yvonne Parks and looks at how Wessex Water customers can lower their bills by switching to a cheaper tariff.

Wessex Water was the first water company to introduce a formal social tariff based on abilities to pay - the tailored assistance programme (tap).

The new Waterworks sessions will explain the benefits of tap, as well as offering benefits checks to make sure people are claiming everything they are entitled to and tips about how to cut the cost of other household bills.

"We are committed to supporting customers by funding money management and financial capability projects," said social policy manager Kate Pennock."We're pleased to be working directly with South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice on the Waterworks project. They have excellent advisors who can help provide face-to-face advice and practical support."We want to ensure customers are receiving all the information they need to enable them to have financial security and confidence to spend money as they need to."