THE Civic Centre in Chester-le-Street closed at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve and will re-open at 8.30am on Friday, January 2.

The council's housing repairs emergency service will operate 24 hours a day throughout the holiday period and council tenants with emergencies should call freephone 0800 587 0001.

The Careline services can be contacted at all times on (0191) 388 7588. In the event of an emergency, Careline should be contacted on this number and they will notify the duty supervisor.

The leisure centre will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, but open on December 27 and 30 and until 3pm on New Year's Eve.