THE provision of consumer advice in the borough of Stockton is to be increased with the appointment of a new member of staff.
Eight thousand people a year contact the trading standards and licensing unit's consumer advice service, which is based in Stockton Central Library.
The service has operated with only two full-time advisors and periodically had to operate on reduced hours or suffer short closures because of illness or holidays.
It is hoped this will no longer be the case.
Councillor Martyn Ingram, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "The appointment of our third consumer advisor, Tanvir Hussain, means we can offer increased service provision for the residents of Stockton.
"Tanvir, who speaks fluent Urdu and Punjabi, will make an immediate impact on the service we provide."
The trading standards and licensing service has also recently launched its own website to allow access 24 hours a day to advice and information for both consumers and trad-ers.
It can be reached by logging on to www.tradingstandards. gov.uk/stockton
Alternatively, the service can be contacted on (01642) 391180.
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