Bradford's Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has received a pat on the back from its area director for being super efficient.

Nick Bussey, area director for the North CAB, was the guest speaker at yesterday's annual meeting at Broadacre House in Vicar Lane, Bradford, the CAB's new premises, which opened last week.

The service achieved a score of 83 per cent in an audit of its quality of advice, the highest score in the north and in the top ten per cent nationally.

Mr Bussey said: "For a large CAB service it's a fine achievement and they should be very proud of themselves."

Chief executive Andy Taylor said after every client interview records were made, which were checked every three years.

The auditors assess how suitable the advice was in relation to the client's query.

Research also revealed that Bradford's CAB customers were also impressed with the service they received.

In a client satisfaction survey for 2006-07, 99 per cent said they would visit the CAB again and 86 per cent said the information they received was very useful.

The meeting reviewed the company's progress over the past 15 months and discussed the success of recent projects, including the Financial Inclusion Fund Debt Advice Project and Telephone Project.

Mr Taylor said: "Now we've moved to this new building it's time to take stock and look at how we can develop. We want to reduce waiting times, secure funding with employment-related advice and increase advice in health-related areas."

Mr Bussey's talk focused on the future of the CAB. He said: "We have to make sure clients are getting a quality service.

"Working with other CAB agencies in the area and nationally we want to bring a better service to our clients."

The area director also presented certificates to volunteers Wendy Lightowler and George Avis who have served for more than ten years. Audrey Cullender and Inge McDonald also received certificates.

Mrs Lightowler, of Clayton, is a retired English teacher. She volunteers as an advice worker and said she became involved after seeing an article about volunteering in the Telegraph & Argus.

She said: "I give advice on anything, but mainly debt and benefit. It's interesting because you can get the same problem three times over, but each person is different and so the advice you give changes."