A WELFARE rights service is moving into a new headquarters this month.

Durham County Council's Welfare Rights service, which currently operates from four offices around the county, is moving into the Rivergreen Centre, at Aykley Heads, in Durham City, on August 21.

The service, which is becoming part of the authority's adult and community services department, provides advice and information to help people claim benefits and represents claimants at appeals tribunals.

It also operates a number of specialist teams, which help some of the most vulnerable people in the community, including people with learning difficulties and children leaving care.

The move will replace the existing branches for Derwentside, Easington, Wear Valley and Teesdale and Durham City and Chester-le-Street.