COUNCIL services across County Durham will be running on a reduced timetable over the festive period.

Customer Access Points run by Durham County Council close at 4.30pm on Friday, December 22 and reopen at 8.30am on Tuesday, January 2.

In the event of an emergency, residents can still contact the council on 03000 260 000 or use the 24/7 automated payments line on 0300 456 2771.

Leisure centres will be closed on bank holidays and will close early at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve while Riverside Sports Complex, Chester-le-Street, is closed from Friday until Tuesday, January 2.

Libraries, day centre and children’s centres also have restricted opening hours and users are advised to contact their local centres to see when they are open.

The Park and Ride service will not operate during any of the bank holidays, but will operate as normal on other days.

Bin collections will take place as normal up to and including Friday, 22 December. Collections during the week beginning Monday, December 25, will be one day later than usual. Normal collections resume on Tuesday, January 2.

Visit www.durham.gov.uk/festive for full details.