SHOPPERS viewed detailed proposals of a controversial £6.5m plan to transform Darlington town centre yesterday.

An exhibition of the pedestrianisation scheme, which is on the first floor of the Cornmill Centre, attracted scores of visitors.

They were able to see two scale models of how High Row would look under the plan and study a detailed map showing the materials that would be used, including granite and sandstone paving.

Planning officers and town centre manager Louise Toms discussed the proposals with shoppers, who were also asked to fill in comment forms.

The exhibition will be at the Cornmill Centre again today and tomorrow, from 11.30am to 2.30pm.

The Pedestrian Heart scheme has the backing of all political parties in the town, although the Tory group and the town's civic trust are against the removal of historic features, such as railings and balustrades, from High Row.

Key features include banning traffic from Prospect Place, West Row, Blackwellgate and parts of Northgate and Bondgate, and restricting it in High Row.

Most buses would have to enter the town centre via Northgate roundabout and travel along Northgate, Crown Street and on to the loop road, before leaving the town centre at the Stonebridge roundabout.

Under the scheme, which still has to be approved by the council's planning committee and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, High Row would feature a single set of steps, lit up at night, plus a ramp.

A space to hold events, such as concerts, would be created at the northern end of High Row and the Joseph Pease statue would be restored to its original location.

There would also be a water feature, raised planters and an avenue of trees.

Mrs Toms encouraged people to visit the exhibition and make their views known.

"In addition to commenting on the specific planning applications, visitors will also have the opportunity to record their views on the pedestrianisation scheme as a whole," she said.