SHOPPERS who use coin converting machines at supermarkets have been assured they can do so with confidence in County Durham.

The American Coinstar machines take unsorted change and convert it to a voucher to be exchanged immediately for cash or shopping at the checkout.

Consumer watchdogs at Durham County Council tested two machines at Asda, Spennymoor and Sainsbury's, Durham, and gave them a clean bill of health.

County council consumer services head Phillip Holman said: "Consumer services is responsible for testing the accuracy of most weighing and measuring equipment in trade use.

"People may be familiar with the regular testing we carry out on petrol pumps, shop scales and beer meters.

"But we are always keen to carry out similar checks on any new types of equipment, like these change machines, which come into use."

He said the two machines were tested to ensure they accurately counted a variety of coinage and charged the appropriate fee.

Mr Holman said: "Despite the high speed at which these machines were found to operate, they were both very accurate and no errors were found."

Unsorted change poured into the machine can be counted at up to 600 coins a minute.

The number and denomination of coins counted along with a running cash total are displayed.

A fee, typically 7.5 per cent, is deducted from the cash total and a voucher printed.

There are about 9,000 machines in use in the US and over 320 in supermarkets in this country.

County council deputy leader Councillor Don Ross said: "I'm pleased with the results of these tests.

"It's reassuring to know that the machines, which clearly offer a useful service, can be relied on to function correctly."