A ONE-stop shop for council services is to be opened in Coxhoe next year.

Durham City Council is to launch the facility, at Coxhoe Leisure Centre, on May 1.

It will house customer services teams which will handle inquiries on council tax, refuse collection, benefits and housing.

Council leader Councillor Maurice Crathorne said: "We are launching the one-stop shop to provide a first class service to our customers.

"There are plans to take on authority-wide services and develop partnerships with other service providers, such as Durham County Council and Durham City Employment Service, and education providers such as New College Durham."

Director of community services David Marrs said: "Work is already under way to put together a five-strong team that will have the appropriate knowledge and training to deal with inquiries on the services, and they will do all the running around on behalf of the customer."

Consultations will be carried out with local people who will be given the chance to name the service and have a say on what hours it should be open.