COUNCIL workers are set to benefit after a deal was agreed with unions to promote staff learning.

The council has eight union learning representatives who arrange, promote and advise trade union members about opportunities to brush up basic skills - or learn new ones.

The new agreement, signed on Thursday afternoon, gives the council's full support to the representatives.

It is also hoped the agreement will enable the council and unions to make joint bids for external funding for learning projects.

One bid has just been agreed and will allow a union member to be seconded on a part-time basis to encourage employees, particularly those in lower skilled jobs, to improve their basic skills.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, chairwoman of the lifelong learning scrutiny committee and a former trade union lecturer, said the deal should be celebrated.

"I am proud that Darlington Borough Council has signed a learning agreement with the union learning representatives today," she said.

"This is a positive step in bringing learning opportunities to our workforce to empower them to achieve and earn more."