EMPLOYEES of Pendle Council can provide a better service for their disabled customers after successfully completing a distance learning training programme.

The course, designed to help employees communicate better with people with disabilities, was commissioned by the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA) and included key aspects of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Employees were given a book to read, followed by questions and exercises to complete. They then had to ring a freephone number and answer questions before being told whether they had passed or not.

Helen Blyth, of the council's corporate policy unit, was one of the 25 employees who completed the course.

She said: "It was good to be able to do this learning in my own time as this made it more flexible. The training helped give me some background into a range of issues that affect people with disabilities, along with important issues from the Disability Discrimination Act."

The Mayor of Pendle Councillor Colin Waite presented certificates to those who had completed the training at a special ceremony in the Council Chamber at Nelson Town Hall.

The training was arranged by Judith Moretta, the local authority's training officer.

Judith said: "The skills and knowledge gained by participants will help the council to provide improved services to and communication with all disabled people, both customers and staff.

"This has been an extremely effective programme, enabling a considerable number of front-line staff to participate, without disrupting service provision.