A scheme that gives people improved access to council services may be expanded across County Durham.

A £200,000 video conferencing pilot scheme has been such a success that organisers are keen to extend it 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 is keen for the project to be extended, particularly to the more rural parts of the county.

The scheme allows residents to speak via a video link to council officers about a range of issues such as housing, benefits, council tax and environmental issues.

The officer can be seen on a plasma screen while the caller's picture is beamed through to the officer.

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."