A VILLAGE beat bobby will hold a surgery next week in response to reports of drug dealing in his area.

PC Jamie Rielly, the designated beat officer for Tudhoe and Low Spennymoor, will attend a joint police and council surgery next Tuesday afternoon.

PC Rielly will team up with Sedgefield Borough Council's estate manager, Diane Maughan, when she holds her regular weekly surgery, at Tudhoe Community Centre, from 2pm to 3pm.

While Ms Maughan deals with routine issues, PC Rielly hopes his presence will encourage people to come forward with information about anti-social behaviour and drug dealing, especially in the York Hill estate and in Tudhoe Village.

He said: "There has been some information passed recently to the beat unit at Spennymoor concerning this type of activity.

"We would like to hear from anyone who can help, so we can act. All information will be treated in strict confidence."