A COUNCIL is to extend the opening hours of one of its housing offices for a trial period.

The Easington District Council service in Peterlee will open on Saturday mornings from January 24 until the end of March.

Staff will be available to help customers make cash payments, report repairs and answer queries, from 9am to noon, at 2-6 Upper Chare.

The scheme is a response to feedback from tenants, residents and councillors who favoured Saturday openings to allow those who are unable to visit the housing office during normal working hours.

If the scheme is successful it could become a permanent feature. Other housing offices across the district may also be opened on Saturday mornings if there is demand.

Councillor Colin Reynolds, executive member for housing said: "Saturday opening times give our customers more flexibility and choice in how they want to receive housing services from us. It also caters for those people who can't attend during normal working hours.

"We chose Peterlee to pilot the scheme as it is our busiest office and there are lots of people in the town centre shopping on a Saturday who we feel would benefit from the additional service."