Local events taking place in Cumbria to mark International Credit Union Day include:

Cumbria's credit unions celebrate International Credit Union Day 2010Members, staff and volunteers of Cumbria’s seven credit unions will join 186 million members of credit unions worldwide this Thursday (October 21) to International Credit Union Day.

The day is held to mark the difference that credit unions make to the lives of their members through offering the chance to save regularly and to borrow money at low rates of interest when they need to.

This year the theme of International Credit Union Day is 'Local. Trusted. Serving You.' Cumbria’s seven credit unions are based in local communities from Carlisle in the north to Walney in the south. They serve over 6,000 adult members and over 2,000 children and young people, who trust them with their savings of a combined value of almost £1.5m. The local credit unions have distributed loans to members with a combined value in excess of £4m.

Whitehaven, Egremont & District Credit Union will be holding open days at their offices in both Egremont and Whitehaven alongside face painting and a children’s colouring competition –drop in sessions at the De Lucy Centre, Market Place, Egremont from 10am –12.30pm, and at 24 James Street, Whitehaven from 10am –4pm. Everyone is welcome.

Carlisle and District Credit Union will be holding an open day at their premises at their office at 95 Lowther Street in Carlisle from 10am –2pm. Free refreshments of Bucks Fizz, chocolates and sweets will be available. Anyone joining the credit union on the day will get a free box of chocolates.

Hindpool Community Association, Barrow – Cumbria Credit Union Development Coordinator Gordon Henry will be attending Hindpool Annex, Bath Street in Barrow for a coffee morning from 10am 1t 12pm to inform local residents about plans to set up a Barrow and District Credit Union.

Cllr Oliver Pearson, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for communities, said: "In these uncertain financial times, there has never been a better time to join your local credit union. Regular saving now can help you access low interest rate loans if you need to in future. Credit unions bring benefits for you and other members throughout your local community as well as keeping money within the local economy."

Gordon Henry, Cumbria Credit Union Development Coordinator, said: "These events provide an opportunity for people to come along and find out more about their local community credit union. Credit unions are open to everyone to join within their local area. When you join a credit union you are a member not just a customer –it really is your credit union. As not-for-profit organisations, any surplus is invested in developing a wider range of services or in lower rates on loans and dividends on savings."

Anyone wanting further information on existing credit unions in Cumbria –Carlisle and District, Maryport and North Allerdale, Workington and District, Whitehaven Egremont District, Cleator Moor, Millom and Walney or interested in becoming involved in setting one up in Barrow and District, Eden or South Lakeland can contact Gordon Henry on (01900) 607 532 or e-mail gordon.henry@harvesthousing.org.uk or contact the credit unions directly as follows:-

Carlisle and District (01228) 594007; Maryport and North Allerdale (01900) 816111; Workington and District (01900) 63642; Whitehaven, Egremont and District (01946) 66755 or (01946) 828104; Cleator Moor and District (01946) 817508; Millom and District (01229) 775877 and Walney (01229) 470449.