VOLUNTEERS are looking forward to working with the community more closely after opening their own offices.

The Weardale Community Partnership has been working for a year to get funding for its own premises.

Now thanks to funding from the Leader Plus Programme, County Durham Foundation Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest Fund and Wear Valley Community Support Fund the hard work has come to fruition and its offices have opened in Stanhope.

Pam Forbes, secretary of the partnership, said: "We asked Hilary Armstrong MP to open the offices because she is always very enthusiastic and supportive of things going on in the dale.

"The trustees have been working hard for some time to establish a community office facility in Stanhope.

"We hope that it will serve the people of Weardale well and help to improve their quality of life."

The partnership was launched in August 2001 and since then it has developed community involvement in a variety of organisations and initiatives.

It has also developed a role in the community of supporting, advising and signposting groups and individuals with funding, accessing funding and project development.

One of the main aims of the office is to encourage more community participation in consultation about local strategic plans and public documents.

Presently, the offices are open three days a week, and this will give the public more chance to see consultation documents.

Mrs Forbes said: "Until now volunteers have been working from home. Our new offices will make life a lot easier for us because everything will be in a central location from now on.''