COUNCIL officials in Barnard Castle have pledged to fight to save the town's JobCentre from closure.

The centre is under threat from the Department of Work and Pensions, which says that without a benefit office, the branch cannot provide a modern service. Officials have suggested people could travel to Bishop Auckland.

But Charles Anderson, Teesdale Council's chief executive, and senior officials are to meet department officials next month to try to stop any closure plans.

"This centre isn't just a Barnard Castle facility, it is a Teesdale-wide facility," said Mr Anderson, "People living in the surrounding areas who maybe already face a 20-mile trip to get to the centre could have another 20 miles added on to their journey."

The council is gathering figures on the use of the centre, in preparation for the meeting.

"Even if the number of people using the centre at the moment is relatively low, that may well just be an indication of a good economy. But times change, and what happens when the economy dips?" he said.

"It is understandable that centres serving remote areas may be used by fewer people than those in cities, but we firmly believe that people in rural communities need the facilities to be available as much as everyone else."

A spokesman for the department said they were prepared to listen to the council. He said: "We will discuss anything."