A COUNTY Durham care team has reached the final of the Association of Public Service Excellence Awards.

The Welfare to Work Service unit of County Durham Care has been shortlisted for the social care category award along with four other county services.

The service provides assistance to people who have disabilities, who want paid employment, or would like to take part in training to give them an advantage in the employment market.

People can access the service if they live anywhere in County Durham and if they have a learning or physical disability, sensory impairment or a mental health issue.

Alison Bradford, Welfare to Work manager, said: "In March, we won a national award for social services team of the year.

"That recognised the dedication and hard work of all the Welfare to Work staff.''

She added: "It is a wonderful feeling to make it to the final five in another prestigious awards ceremony, especially one which identifies Durham County Council as achieving excellence in public service.''

The team will have to wait until the association's annual conference, in Plymouth, on September 9 to find out if it has won the top prize.