STAFF at a Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) were celebrating after receiving a major cash handout last night.

Derwentside CAB has been awarded £53,467 from the National Lottery-backed Community Fund to improve training and recruitment.

It has also emerged that the Stanley-based CAB is to move to new offices at 94 Front Street in mid-December.

Chairman of Derwentside CAB Cliff Lows said the cash would enable the branch to attract and keep volunteers in order to maintain the service.

He said: "Of course we are absolutely delighted. We need to attract and keep volunteers to offer a first class service.

"I think this is also a recognition of our success. We deal with more than 12,000 enquiries a year and last year we helped bring three quarters of a million pounds to the district in helping people with benefits and dealing with debt problems."

North Durham MP Kevan Jones welcomed the news. He said: "This grant further highlights the exceptional work carried out by the Derwentside Citizens Advice Bureau."

A spokesman for the Community Fund said the grant would help keep up an excellent service for the area.