A TRIAL afternoon tea dance proved popular with users of a council's service.

The first dance was staged yesterday by Chester-le-Street District Council-run Careline, for its clients across the district.

A function room was hired at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground, in Chester-le-Street, for the pilot project, seen as a chance to bring users together for an enjoyable social gathering.

Organisers arranged for music from local bandsmen, with refreshments, raffles and an information display. Anyone struggling for transport was provided with free travel.

All 130 tickets were quickly snapped up and a waiting list was compiled in case of any late cancellations.

Carol Kay, the Careline service manager, said: "The aim was to have some fun, and to have a chance to talk to other service users.

"It's given us valuable feedback on the way the Careline service is being delivered."

Once they were off the dance floor, guests were able to register to join a Careline user forum, to give them a chance to have a say on the future of the service.

The event went so well that it is now intended to become a regular feature of the Careline calendar.

It is hoped another dance can be arranged later in the year, possibly in October or November.

Further details will be available, nearer the time, on 0191-388-7588.