A NEW council customer service centre has been officially opened in Chester-le-Street.

The Durham County Council customer access point moved from the town’s civic centre, which is now closed, to the Cestria Community Housing Hub, on Front Street, last month.

The new facilities were officially opened by council leader Simon Henig, aa councillor for the town, and David Butler,Cestria’s chairman.

Coun Henig said: “We hope that by having housing and council customer services in one convenient location people will find it easier to report issues and to get the support and advice they need.

“This is an important step and we are very pleased to be working with Cestria for the benefit of people in the town and wider area.”

Paul Fiddaman, Chief Executive of Cestria Community Housing, said: “We are pleased to welcome Durham County Council to provide their customer access point service from the Cestria Hub. “By working in partnership, it allows us to provide our tenants and the wider community with improved access to a range of services.”

The full range of council customer services is available at the Cestria Hub, including housing advice on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

People needing advice on housing benefit or council tax must make an appointment by calling 03000 26 0000. The appointments system has been introduced to try to keep waiting times to a minimum.