KNOWN paedophiles will soon find it more difficult to get jobs working with children in Darlington when employers gain easier access to a national records database.

The Government initiative, which will be presented to organisations in Darlington next month, will help to screen out job candidates who may be unsuitable for certain kinds of work by using the Criminal Records Bureau's disclosure service.

The details will also be available to charitable and voluntary groups who work with children and vulnerable adults.

A Home Office spokesman said interest in the scheme has been high, and about 3,000 bodies are registering to use the paid-for service each week.

A Darlington Borough Council leaflet advertising the launch says: "In the past, some organisations could conduct checks of details held by police and Government departments to identify unsuitable prospective employees, but most could not.

"In particular, organisations engaging volunteers had very limited and inadequate access to such checks.

"In some cases, information was known to the police which, had it been made available to employers, should have prevented offenders from being employed and being able to harm vulnerable people."

The checks can only be carried out with the consent of the applicant, and rights to privacy and confidentiality will not be prejudiced. If requested, the applicant can view the information held, challenge it or have it reviewed.

The presentation detailing the service takes place at The Dolphin Centre, Darlington, on Monday, May 20, at 1pm.

Organisations wishing to attend should write to: Social Services, Central House, Gladstone Street, Darlington.