VITAL information for residents in the region or those thinking of moving to another part of the country are now available online.

Traffic updates, school league tables, doctors' details and crime figures from across the region are included in The Northern Echo's Local Information Channel, on its website -www.thenorthern echo.co.uk

Using the channel, simply entering a town or postcode connects the user to useful reports and statistics from that area.

Traffic news is updated live to include information on accidents, delays, road closures, speed restrictions, parking information and roadworks.

There is also news on disruptions, delays, service cancellations, closures and weather warnings for rail, bus, ferry and airport services.

Parents can access information about primary and secondary schools across their district.

The figures include scores in subjects, league tables and exam results.

For example, the service shows the number of pupils at Hurworth School, in Darlington, who have gained five GCSEs with grade A* to C has risen from 50 per cent in 2003 to 72 per cent in 2006.

The health section includes names and addresses of local doctors, dentists, accident and emergency departments, hospitals, walk-in centres, opticians and pharmacies.

Residents can also access crime figures for their area.

According to the easily accessible figures, Darlington and Middlesbrough are both hotspots for car crime.

For example, the site reveals that in Darlington last year, there were 501 thefts of vehicles and 1,461 thefts from vehicles.

In Middlesbrough, the respective figures were 1,154 and 2,960, the latter being more than double the national average.

Durham Police successfully solved one in 20 thefts from vehicles.

The figures in Cleveland were slightly higher, at seven per cent.

Information is supplied by various groups, including Trafficlink (UK) Limited, the Department for Education and Skills, the NHS and the Home Office.

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, said: "We are constantly looking to improve our online services, and the new Local Information Channel is an exciting development which underpins our commitment to be the most comprehensive and user-friendly news and information website in the region. It means that readers need look no further for the latest information on travel, schools and services that are local to them."

People can access the service at localinfo.thenorthernecho. co.uk

Readers can also share their views on sport, news, and burning issues with people across the world.

To join in, go to our online forum at www.thenorthernecho. co.uk and register.