AN initiative to encourage more people to take up voluntary work has been launched.

The Sedgefield Borough Volunteer Bureau, funded by the National Lotteries Charities Board, held an open day at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre last week.

Organisations registered with the bureau attended to outline volunteering opportunities in the borough.

The bureau also has several satellite offices in towns and villages in the borough.

Community and Voluntary Organisations Sedgefield (Cavos) is hoping to raise the profile of the new service.

The bureau is based at the Cavos main office in West Cornforth, but there are also bases in Sedgefield, Shildon, Spennymoor, Trimdon and Newton Aycliffe.

Anyone wishing to find out more information about the bureau, or to ask about volunteering opportunities, can contact Cavos on (01740) 652000.