Gijón Town Hall opened the Municipal Office of the Asturian Language yesterday, a new body set up by the socialist coalition government formed by the PSOE and the IU (United Left). The aim of the new organisation is "to encourage the normalisation, use and presence of the Asturian language in all aspects of the social and cultural life of Gijón."

The office, which is situated in the Casa de Nave on the calles Salamanca, aims to offer language training, translation and correction services for the town hall itself, local businesses, associations and private individuals. The Town Hall will also be producing an information booklet about the language, its legality, as well as details about grants and subsidies available to promote its usage.