A FAMILY mediation service has hit back at criticism of the use of mediation in divorce cases.

The Durham and Darlington Family Mediation Service says mediation is still a successful tool in helping people resolve their differences.

The move follows national media criticism of the use of mediation in divorce cases.

Stefan Klidzia, Durham and Darlington family mediation service manager, said: "While the numbers are not as high as we would have liked, they are far from the dismal stories that some parts of the national media seem to be portraying.