STAFF at the Cockerton and Branksome Living Enterprise (Cable) are having a rare moment of quiet.

The sun is beating down outside and the open door is allowing a flow of cool air into the office at Whitby Way, Darlington.

It looks almost like a boarded-up shop from the outside, but the door is never closed to residents of the surrounding estate.

The offices represent a place where every need can be met, from debt problems to literacy issues.

People in the community are gradually realising that whatever the query, however difficult the problem, the Cable offices are the first step towards sorting it out.

The three members of staff are supported by a small network of volunteers, often people who have had to call on Cable's help themselves.

People in the area nominated Cable as the community group of the year in the Mayor's Community Awards last year for its work in every aspect of community improvement.

The group, which was formed in July 2001, is not for a specific purpose - it is just there to be of service.

Staff member Anne McGrath said: "We have an open door policy here, and while we don't profess to be experts on everything, we usually know people who are. If we can't sort out a problem, 99 times out of 100 we can make inquiries and find someone."

Throughout the week, the offices are full of people coming for advice, credit union collections, computer classes, job searching, help with curriculum vitae and job applications, driver theory classes and a slimming club, which costs 20p a week.

Funding comes from a variety of sources and it is an uphill struggle for the group to secure the next year's money to keep it going.

But the biggest boost came when Cable received funding for its offices, which provide a drop-in centre for anyone who needs it.

If local people decide there is a need for a certain service at the office, Cable staff will listen and do what they can to help.

David Regan, another Cable staff member, said: "We just listen to what local people are saying. We want to be responsive to need.

"We deliver the Cable Courier newsletter to 1,500 homes and we will suggest a new service in that.

"People can tick a box if they are interested and we will deliver the service if there is enough demand."

Cable also works with schools, the community association and residents' association to improve the area.

It also offers a host of practical services, such as the handyman service, which can help pensioners install lightbulbs if needed, at a low cost.

"I think that the main benefit people draw from us is that they can come in at any time and it is just the fact that someone will listen to their problem and try to do something about it," said Ms McGrath.