A GUIDE to community services for parents has been launched in County Durham.

The Parentaid directory has been compiled to help people find out more about services such as health, childcare, education and leisure and is being made available in schools, community centres, doctors' surgeries and libraries.

Funded by the Community Education Development Council (CEDC), it has been drawn up by Durham County Council's Full Service Schooling (FSS) scheme.

The first directories were presented to Bullion Lane and Newker primary schools, and the Hermitage School, in Chester-le-Street.

FSS co-ordinator Roseann Szomoru, who is based at Hermitage School, said that the guide to agencies will be regularly updated.

She said: "Although these services are freely available to families, it is evident that some parents and communities are often unsure where to turn to for help. Parentaid will provide that link."