A CAMPAIGN has been launched to reduce the number of people being evicted from council houses in east Durham.

Easington District Council is taking the action after research showed that an eviction because of rent arrears happens every nine-and-a-half days.

The council is urging tenants to seek help when they are facing problems meeting the weekly payments.

Over the coming months, 23 Arriva buses will carry adverts bearing the message "Don't forget Payday'' to remind tenants to keep up with their rent.

Posters have also been distributed to venues all over the community to get the message across.

Councillor Colin Reynolds, who has special responsibility for housing, said: "This is not a campaign designed to threaten tenants with eviction for not paying their rent but to remind them of the consequences of not paying.

"We genuinely want to help tenants who are having problems paying their rent and are encouraging them to come and talk to us so we can offer advice and assistance.''

Council tenants can contact an advisor through housing offices. The main numbers are Easington 0191-527 0501; Peterlee 0191-586 2603; Seaham - 0191-513 0779 and Murton 0191-526 6533.