AN initiative to encourage more people to take up voluntary work is to be launched in Newton Aycliffe.

The Sedgefield Borough Volunteer Bureau (SBVB), funded by the National Lotteries Charities Board, opened its doors at several satellite offices in towns and villages throughout the borough earlier this month.

Now Community and Voluntary Organisations Sedgefield (Cavos) is hoping to raise the profile of the service with the official launch in Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.

It will open to the public from 10am to 4pm. Organisations registered with the SBVB will be attending with information regarding their volunteering opportunities.

SBVB manager Graham Birdsall said: "If there are any people thinking of volunteering or would like to find out more, please call in and see us.

"Equally if you are an organisation interested in attending the launch, but are not yet registered with the SBVB please contact Cavos and we will arrange your registration and attendance on the day."

The SBVB can be visited at the Cavos main office, in Cornforth, but the service also has offices at Sedgefield, Shildon, Spennymoor, Trimdon and Newton Aycliffe.

For more details about the launch, or volunteering opportunities, contact Cavos on (01740) 652000.