TRADING standards in Darlington is celebrating being one of the first of its kind in the region to receive a consumer law quality mark award.

The section of Darlington Borough Council has been awarded the Community Legal Service's Quality Mark Standard for Consumer Law at the general help level.

The mark is the nationally recognised standard for the provision of legal information, advice and help.

Darlington council is one of the founding partners of the Darlington Community Legal Service Partnership, which aims to create a network of quality marked legal services serving the community.

Councillor Stephen Harker, the council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "This award recognises a high degree of commitment shown by the trading standards section to providing a quality service which is accessible to the public."