A ONE-STOP shop for social care services in County Durham has received a glowing health check in an independent review.

The report, by the Improvement and Development Agency, says Durham County Council's Social Care Direct has made a significant impact on improving access to social care and health services in the county.

The review report says the service is "a unique operation", both in the county and nationally, and demonstrates that it can "work successfully with partner agencies to improve joint service delivery".

Social Care Direct acts as a single point of access for anyone looking for information on a wide range of social care and health services and offers a consistent level of customer service with extended opening hours.

Manager Bob Morland said: "This report is great news for us. We have worked very hard over the last two years to make sure that we offer an excellent service to people in County Durham.

"But we won't be resting on our laurels, because there is always more work to do and we will be looking at the report's recommendations to see how we can be even better."