A HANDFUL of lucky March people collected a £25 fee last night for talking shop! The shop in question belongs to Fenland District Council and the payments were for attending a discussion group about access to the authority s one-stop shops. A researcher

A HANDFUL of lucky March people collected a £25 fee last night for talking shop!

The 'shop' in question belongs to Fenland District Council and the payments were for attending a discussion group about access to the authority's one-stop shops.

A researcher stood outside March's one-stop shop in Broad Street last Wednesday, offering people £25 as a 'thank you' payment to attend the meeting at the Griffin Hotel.

Louise Garner, of Gordon Avenue, March, one of those approached, says she was told the money was to pay for potential childcare costs, travelling expenses and other costs that attending the meeting might involve.

The meeting was hosted by RBA Research, and its report helps provide service improvements which the public believe are most important.

A council spokesman said: "This is a small part of consultation work we're carrying out.

This meeting is one of a number taking place around the district with specially selected customers. This will ensure the results are representative of the population as a whole.

"Participants will receive a small payment for assisting with the research.

The total cost is £25 per person and this is covered by RBA for their research.