A SCHEME to allow members of the public to access council services may be expanded across the whole of County Durham.

A £200,000 video conferencing pilot scheme has proved such a success that organisers are now keen to extend the project across the county.

The Video Conferencing Access to Services project was launched in March by Tony Blair and operates at five pilot locations around County Durham, in West Cornforth, Willington, Evenwood, Stanley and Craghead.

Janice Docherty, chief officer of Derwentside's Council for Voluntary Services, which operates the scheme in the district, said she was keen for the project to be extended, particularly to the more rural parts of the county.

She said: "For someone to get to Consett to look at a plan drawn up by the council it can be a 20-mile round trip or a 90-minute bus ride.

"They might want to take part, but it's a big time commitment, and if you live even further out in some of the more rural areas, it might take a whole day if you are relying on public transport."

The year-long pilot allows residents to speak via a video link to council officers about a range of issues such as housing, benefits, council tax and the environment.

Ms Docherty said: "It's proving extremely useful, particularly as this is a rural county and it's adding a new dimension to service delivery.

"Even benefit forms can be signed remotely using a special pad and people with hearing impairments can use it by communicating in sign language."