A hotline has been set up to handle complaints from east Durham residents about council services.

It has been launched by Easington District Council to look into gripes residents, tenants and businesses have about the way things are run.

Its customer services team can step in when complainants are not happy at the response from the council department they feel is responsible for their problem.

The council has had the specially-trained team of four customer services officers for two years. It was set up to make it easier to complain.

A council spokeswoman said: "Easington's priority is to provide good customer care for all its tenants, residents and businesses.

"Its customer services were praised as the 'people's champion' earlier this year by Government inspectors.

"Residents do not want to be passed from department to department.

"They want a single point of contact to deal with complaints or queries when they are not satisfied with how a complaint or problem has been dealt with initially.

"Customers who feel they have been treated unfairly should first contact the council department to air their views.

"If they are not satisfied with the action taken by the department, they should follow the complaints procedure.''

The hotline can be reached on 0191-527 0501, extensions 2492, 2479, 2570 or 2579.

Complaints and suggestions can also be made to the customer services team in writing, at Council Offices, Seaside Lane, Easington, SR8 3TN.

A leaflet explaining the council's complaints procedure is available from its offices.