TWO new community advice centres have been officially opened to help people deal with problems they are facing in north Durham.

Citizens Advice County Durham opened its new facility on Medomsley Road, Consett, on Friday, a day after unveiling its office on Church Chare in Chester-le-Street.

The Consett office has undergone £10,000 worth of investment, and the Chester-le-Street branch had over £40,000 worth of building work.

Neil Bradbury, chief executive of the charity, said: “This is about us giving good quality places for people to receive advice and we want clients to access the service in a suitable environment.

“The old premises were not very accessible. It is a fresh start with a new parent organisation and new premises.”

Citizens Advice County Durham was formed by the merger of the ten previously independent branches across the area.

Some had been running at a deficit and Derwentside had its membership suspended by the national association over the failure to meet the standards required of all bureaux two years ago.

Mr Bradbury said the organisation had made changes to its service and moved on since then.

He said: “What happened with Derwentside was quite sad. It fell into trouble with the national body took the quite rare decision to withdraw the brand from that charity.

“When it was closed we took over and that is why we needed to find premises. “There has been a rebuilding process in that area.”

North-West Durham MP Pat Glass performed the official opening of the new Consett premises on Friday.

She said: “In 2013 the Derwentside CAB closed due to national concerns over its management. This in no way diminished the quality of the advice given by the staff and their volunteers to local people who value and need their help.

“In opening the new Consett branch, I am pleased residents once again have access to this very important service.”

The funding has come from various sources including the Department of Health, Durham County Council, the Community Foundation in County Durham and various councillors' funds and funding from area action partnerships.

Citizens Advice County Durham is also looking for suitable premises in Stanley and currently operates from Durham County Council’s customer access point on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information about CACD, its opening times or to volunteer email enquiries@cdcab.org.uk or search Citizens Advice County Durham on Facebook.