OUTREACH workers for Darlington's Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) are reporting a steady increase in the number of people using the services.

Now the outreach team is expanding its services, with regular surgeries held in Darlington Memorial Hospital's Pierremont Unit, at Darlington Mind, Darlington Carers' Centre, Age Concern and St Teresa's Hospice.

The team is also operating at community centres on the Firthmoor, Branksome and Red Hall estates in the town.

Outreach manager Carol Shreeve said: "The increase in uptake of these services clearly demonstrates the need for free, confidential and impartial information and advice in a range of locations.

"Access to information and advice is particularly important in such a rapidly changing and challenging society, where millions of people do not know the full extent of their employment, benefits and consumer rights."

Darlington CAB is working with the User Involvement Partnership and the Community Legal Service to organise an awareness event.

The Access Your Rights event will be held at Darlington Arts Centre on Friday, May 31, from 9.30am to 1.30pm. To book a place, telephone Louise Graham or Sue Rivera on (01325) 254662.