COUNCIL workers are taking fewer days off sick after new measures were implemented.

Sedgefield Borough Council brought in a code of conduct following a review of sickness absence management.

All council managers have attended training in managing absence issues, while schemes to improve health and fitness have been introduced.

A target has been set for each employee to cut 3.3 days from their annual sickness average.

There will be a review in six months' time, but a borough council spokesman said initial signs were pleasing.

He said: "The new sickness measures were put into place on July 1 and we expect to have a clear indication of its success by the end of the year."