VOLUNTEERS took to the roads yesterday to relaunch Wear Valley's customer panel, an independent group helping to shape the district's future.

A three-day bus tour set off from the civic centre on a mission to reach every one of the district's scattered communities.

On board were some of the panel's 30 members, who are aiming to raise awareness of their work and recruit volunteers.

Since it was established in 1998, the group has advised councillors and officers on a range of policies and strategies.

With a strong representation of council tenants, it recently played a role in reshaping the future of Wear Valley's stock of 5,400 homes.

Edith Stobbs, who chairs the panel, said individuals and community groups were welcome to join.

She said: "We are all customers of Wear Valley and we work with the council. We have to be consulted by the council and this gives us a say in what happens in the district. It is a success story because we have a very good relationship, and we feel we really do make a difference.

"We provide training, advice and support to new residents' groups and take part ourselves in training courses and conferences, both local and national.

"We have committee members on Nectar - the North-East tenants' association - and also train with them.

"Although most of us are council tenants, our work is not just about housing. Restructuring the housing stock has been a long issue which has been difficult in some respects, but it is happening.

"That is just one example of how we can contribute."

The bus travelled through Weardale yesterday, visits Crook and Willington today and calls at Bishop Auckland, Hunwick, St Helen Auckland, West Auckland, Coundon and Woodhouse Close tomorrow.

Council leader Olive Brown, who watched it leave the civic centre, said: "The customer panel has done a tremendous amount of work.

"It has been very beneficial to the council."