BIKERS are being encouraged to bring their vehicles into Darlington town centre, after new parking areas were created.

Three motorbike stands, which provide a secure place for bikes to be chained up, have been erected in the car parks at Abbots Yard, Kendrew Street and Commercial Street.

Darlington Borough Council hopes the stands will encourage more bikers to come into Darlington and stop people leaving motorbikes on pavements.

The stands were provided following talks between the borough council and the Darlington branch of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG).

Action group spokesman Chris Wooff said: "Our members told us that one of the reasons they didn't come into Darlington was the lack of parking.

"It is more secure to leave your bike chained to a stand rather than just parking up. It is too easy for someone to pick up a bike and put it in the back of a van if it is not secured to anything."