THE service to witnesses at courts in County Durham is to be improved with a helping hand from an anti-crime agency.

Backing for the Witness Support Service at Durham Crown Court comes from the police-backed community forum, Durham Agency Against Crime.

The agency has pledged to extend its support for the service to the magistrates' courts in Durham and Chester-le-Street.

As part of the link-up, the agency is funding the supply of all witness support literature circulated by the service.

This includes posters and flyers outlining the role of the service, plus new headed stationery.

It will follow it up with the supply of furniture, fixtures and fittings to improve the witness support rooms at the two magistrates' courts.

Trudi Ranson, Witness Support Service manager in Durham, said the support from the agency was "first class".

"Printing of the literature in such a professional manner is something we just couldn't have done with our resources, so we are very grateful."

She said the added help with the witness rooms was a bonus because both are very "basic", with any improvements much welcomed.

Chief Inspector Laz Szomoru said witnesses were often "the forgotten participants" in the criminal justice system.

"The Witness Support Service offers a free and confidential service to victims and witnesses who have to go to court. I think they do a tremendous job and when they needed some assistance with letterhead paper and information leaflets in order to better inform witnesses about the service they can do, the agency had no hesitation in helping," he said.

The agency is a consortium of local business, councils and police who support anti-crime initiatives in the county