A CHARITY advice centre that specialises in helping those who do not speak English has reopened its doors.

The Millen Advice Point, in Manchester Road, was forced to close in 2003 after Swindon Council withdrew its funding.

But yesterday, thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund, it was able to welcome people back into the centre.

The charity specialises in helping those who do not speak English as their first language, but anyone who wants help or advice can go and speak with them.

In December The Big Lottery Fund awarded the Millen Advice Point a grant of almost £56,000, which has allowed them to reopen.

Secretary Andy Newman said: "The Millen had been effectively closed for a couple of years after an interruption in funding.

"So when we were awarded the Big Lottery grant we had a lot of work to do before they would actually release the money to us.

"We have now recruited staff, and had a really good spring clean.

"And we are all very excited about this. It is a fresh start for us."

The Millen Advice Point aims to improve community relations and integration.

"Swindon is attracting a lot of foreign labour, with growing communities from Goa, Somalia and Poland," said Mr Newman.

"When you first move to a country a lot of simple tasks are quite daunting, for example applying for a car parking permit, or signing up for a dentist. We can help with the forms.

"In addition many from Swindon's ethnic minority communities do not know where to go for help and advice about problems, and the other advice agencies are not geared up for non-English speakers.

"So we are there to help."

The advice centre also wants to help communities to help themselves and are looking for volunteers who speak languages such as Somali or Goan to come forward to act as translators.

The Millen Advice point has been running in Swindon since 1987 but the council withdrew its funding in 2003 after controversy over its management.

Investigations by both Swindon Council and the charities commission have since given the charity the all-clear.

And a new management committee was elected last year with the task of turning the charity around.

The Millen Advice Point is open from 10am until 2pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

It can also be contacted on 01793 611800.