HUNDREDS of Dorset residents could miss out on vital free legal advice as a result of Government cuts, a charity is warning.

Shelter Dorset’s Bournemouth-based advice service is one of many organisations under threat and the charity estimates it will no longer be able to help 68 per cent of its clients across the county, until they are in court on the verge of losing their home.

Shelter is urging Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns to take urgent action to protect legal funding.

Chief Executive Campbell Robb said: “The proposed cuts to legal aid will have a devastating impact. “Essentially they will take away many people’s first line of defence when they fall on hard times.

“Anyone who needs free advice should seek it while they can.”