A PILOT scheme offering council services on Saturday mornings has proved so successful in east Durham that it is to be extended.

Easington District Council agreed to open its housing office, in Peterlee, at weekends for an experimental period following requests from residents who were unable to visit the premises during the week.

For several weeks staff have been available on Saturdays to help customers make cash payments, report repairs and answer housing queries.

They operated from 9am to noon, at 2-6 Upper Chare, in Peterlee's Castle Dene Shopping Centre.

The pilot scheme is a direct response to feedback from tenants, residents and councillors who favoured the weekend opening in preference to normal working hours.

The trial opening times have proved such a success that the scheme has been extended to May 29.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "If demand continues for the Saturday service, it could become a permanent feature."

She said there was also a possibility that the extended opening hours would be introduced across the district.