Chester-le-Street Citizens' Advice Bureau is taking its services out to even more neighbouring villages.

The bureau has secured Coalfields Regeneration Initiative funding to set up new outreach sessions at community centres at Bournmoor, Fence Houses, Pelton, Ouston and Nettlesworth.

The bureau has considerable expertise in problems such as debt, welfare benefits, housing, consumer complaints, mental health, employment issues and tribunal hearings.

The outreach sessions are staffed by paid caseworkers and experienced and trained volunteers with access to comprehensive computer databases.

Bureau manager Deborah Parker said: "There is a growing demand for the bureau's services in the Chester-le-Street area and the outreach sessions provide an easily accessible, free and impartial quality advice resource for everyone.''

The bureau has been running outreach sessions at Sacriston, Pelton Fell, and in Chester West for some time.

The new sessions are at Bournmoor Community Centre on alternate Mon-days from 10am-1pm, at Pelton Comm-unity Centre on alternate Mondays from 10am-1pm, at Ouston Community Centre every Tuesday between 9.30am-12.30pm, at Fence Houses Community Centre on alternate Thursdays betw-een 1.15 and 4.15pm, and Plawsworth and Kimblesworth Community Centre on alternate Thursdays from 10am-1pm.

For further details of these and other sessions call the main bureau Mondays to Fridays on (0191) 389 3000.