VOLUNTEERS are to take to the road to add voices to a group shaping aspects of Wear Valley's future.

A customer panel bus starts a four-day mission next week to reach all of the district's communities.

On board will be panel members who are aiming to raise awareness of their work and recruit volunteers.

It advises councillors on policies and strategies, particularly those relating to the district's 5,200 homes.

Derek Barwick, the panel's publicity officer, said: "The bigger we are, the stronger voice we have. There are a lot of changes in housing management and a lot happening that people need to know about."

The bus leaves the Civic Centre at 9.30am on Monday touring Crook all morning and calling at Low Mown Meadows and South End Villas during the afternoon.

It visits Rookhope and Frosterley on Tuesday morning and Escomb on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, it will spend the morning in South Church, Coundon and Leeholme, moving on to the Dene Valley after lunch.

Thursday takes in Edgar Grove, Bishop Auckland, in the morning and West Auckland and St Helen Auckland in the afternoon.