A COUNTY Durham MP has stepped in to try to resolve the dispute over the closure of Teesdale's only JobCentre.

Derek Foster, MP for Bishop Auckland, has arranged a meeting with officials from the Department of Work and Pensions, and officers and members of Teesdale District Council, after it was announced that the Barnard Castle JobCentre could be closed.

News of the impending closure incensed members of the council and its chief executive, Charles Anderson, agreed to meet Department of Work and Pensions representatives Friday, December 5.

Mr Anderson said: "We will be putting as strong a case in favour of keeping it as we can.

"We hope to be able to back up our arguments with facts and figures. This will have an adverse effect on those who need to use the JobCentre.

" Often these are the people who are least able to cope with it. If someone is coming from Langdon Beck or Marwood and have to go to Bishop Auckland or Darlington they are going to have a very lengthy journey."

Mr Foster said: "It seems they can no longer deliver the service from the present building, but obviously there needs to be a service."

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesman said: "No final decision will be made until all the interested parties have had a chance to contribute."

The JobCentre is due to close as part of a county-wide shake-up of the service, rolling out the new JobCentre Plus Service.

Because Barnard Castle does not have a benefits office, it was deemed unsuitable for the improved modern service.