Business chiefs in Darlington have put on a show of unity over contentious plans for a £6.5m "pedestrian heart" in the town centre.

The project has caused heated debate in the town, mainly about the planned alterations to historic High Row.

Victorian railings and balustrades will be removed as part of the development, to the fury of Conservative councillors and the Civic Trust.

But business leaders came together this week to pledge their full support for the council's plans.

The proposals include re-designing the traffic system, introducing new granite and water features, seating and planting.

Binns store manager Steve Pashley said: "The pedestrian heart scheme is a forward step for the town and one that will make it a prominent retail destination in the region."

Susan Young, deputy manager of the Cornmill Centre, said: "The Cornmill is firmly behind the project and recognises the potential improvement that this development will bring to local businesses."

John Coxon, director of town centre store Leggs and a member of the Darlington Town Centre Forum, said: "As a local independent retailer I give my full support to the scheme."

"It will provide a better, cleaner looking and more open shopping environment and one which is far more accessible to all town centre users including the disabled."

Funds were released this week to allow work on the first phase of the project to be completed.

The £450,000 phase will include improvements to Stonebridge and St Cuthbert's Way to allow a new route for buses.

Other entrance points to the town centre will be altered to enable traffic to be re-routed.