A NEW service for Stanley opened yesterday with the launch of the Jobcentre Plus office, in Front Street.

The town's old-style Jobcentre has been converted by Department for Work and Pensions, into a Jobcentre Plus.

The department says it will provide a better service for employers and jobseekers and brings job finding and benefit services together under one roof.

The opening of the Stanley office is the latest step in the modernisation of services across County Durham.

The department says its emphasis now is on tailoring services to individual customers and using the latest facilities and technology to provide the help that each needs. Personal advisors can access a database that contains 400,0000 job vacancies.

Alison Hilton, Durham district Jobcentre Plus manager, is looking forward to introducing to Stanley the concept of looking for work and obtaining benefits advice under one roof.

She said: "The new modern facilities are fantastic, but the changes go beyond the fabric of the building. Jobcentre Plus is a major step forward in the way we help people find work and access benefits, brought together in a tailor-made package that focuses on their individual circumstances.

"Our customers will be able to use our job-search facilities, speak to our advisors or enquire about their benefit entitlements, in pleasant surroundings all in one place."

Employers were invited to the attend the launch so they could see what the new office offers.