PEOPLE in East Durham are being urged to have their say on council services and issues affecting their communities.

Easington District Council, as part of a shake-up of its committee structure, has set up four area forums so it can gauge local opinion.

It is inviting residents and organisations to take part in the forums, which councillors, managers and council directors will attend.

Separate forums have been arranged to cover the north, central, coastal and west areas of the district.

The first meeting of the north forum will be held at Seaham Leisure Centre, Deneside Recreation Ground, Seaham, next Wednesday, at 6pm.

Residents from Murton, Seaham, South Hetton, Dalton-le-Dale and Seaton-with-Slingley are welcome to attend.

A council spokeswoman said: "Each forum has been set up to ensure people have the chance to influence the nature and quality of community services and to raise issues of local concern."

She said as well as councillors and officers, representatives of other organisations would join in the debate at area forums.

She said: "Other people with specialist knowledge or experience of a particular issue may be coopted onto the forum when required. Each forum will meet every eight weeks.''