A SCHEME to create a council for voluntary services in Teesdale has been granted a five-month trial by councillors.

The proposed service will act as an umbrella body for the dozens of voluntary groups in Teesdale, and will also recruit volunteers to work in the dale.

Teesdale is the only district in County Durham without a central organisation that offers advice and information for voluntary groups.

But despite getting the initial go-ahead by members of Teesdale District Council's policy and resources committee, some members questioned the need for an overall body.

Councillor Newton Wood said: "What we need to do is find out if, indeed, there is actually a genuine need for a group like this, instead of giving it the go-ahead for the sake of it.

"We have the Citizen's Advice Bureau, which I'm sure has all the information that this group could offer, and I just don't think this warrants funding from us."

Michelle Armstrong, of the Wear Valley Volunteer Development Agency, said it would be a massive boost for volunteers in Teesdale.

She said: "There is a definite need for an umbrella body for all of Teesdale's voluntary groups and, moreover, to find individual volunteers and find the perfect group for them.

"We can help voluntary groups and we have the sort of information and experience that the Citizens' Advice Bureau just can't offer."

The body would liaise with voluntary groups in other areas of the county, sharing information and finding suitable groups for volunteers.

Councillor Ken Robinson, chairman of the policy and resources committee, said: "This is only a trial run. We are not dedicating any funding to it, so we can give it a go and see what feedback we get.

"Teesdale doesn't currently have an umbrella group like this. It is totally different to the role the Citizens' Advice Bureau plays."