91Èȱ¬

Opening times at council customer service centres will be cut to just one day a week.

Durham County Council said demand for the services had fallen by about 66% since the 2017-2018 financial year.

North East Party councillor Susan McDonnell said this meant the local authority had to "move with the times".

She said residents would still be able to access support online and on the telephone throughout the week.

Data compiled by the council found some sites had about 60% of its available appointments left unused, according to the .

McDonnell said: "We just can’t sustain a position where 60% of appointments remain unused, particularly when we have such financial challenges ahead of us."

Despite the reduction in opening times, new customer service centres will be opened in Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe, she said.

McDonnell said these hubs would serve a "gap that needed filling".

Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wilkes said the decision was a "no brainer".

Hubs are currently located in Chester-le-Street, Stanley, Consett, Clayport, Barnard Castle, Seaham, Spennymoor and Crook.

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