VULNERABLE and isolated people in east Durham are to benefit from improved access to health and council services.

More than £600,000 from the Single Regeneration Budget will be used to supply a one-stop shop of services for residents in part of the district during the next three years.

The services are being brought to the area by the Easington District Council, the Easington Primary Care Trust, and other partners to improve access to services for residents who are disadvantaged by the poor state of local transport.

The windfall will allow the establishment of community care teams who will help improve health and council facilities for vulnerable residents.

The teams will include district nurses, street wardens, care services staff, housing estate officers and handymen, who will be able to support local residents with a number of services.

The scheme will also reduce costs for the NHS by preventing health problems rather than treating them later.

Councillor Joan Freak, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the bid has been successful. A lot of hard work went into preparing it.

"The joint project will bring great benefits to people living in outlying areas of the district, giving them access to a one-stop shop for services."

Director of public health at Easington Primary Care Trust, Anna Lynch, said: "This is good news for communities in the west of the district.

"The new initiative will support better co-ordination across agencies, more preventative work and a better, seam-free service to residents.''