Darlington is well on the way to hitting a "green lungs" quota target.

Four nature reserve sites are now on the map, more areas are earmarked for the future and two new community woodlands are already under way.

The council's local nature reserves officer, Philip Roxby, told the environmental forum: "Darlington's quality countryside is being enhanced."

The forum heard that four new local nature reserves had been designated: Maidendale nature and fishing reserve; Geneva Wood; Brankin Moor and Rockwell.

English Nature has set a target of one hectare of reserve per 1,000 head of population within a kilometre and the council aims to meet this by 2010.

"With more than 60 hectares of reserve now declared, Darlington is well on its way to both its own and English Nature's target," said Mr Roxby.

Rockwell and Geneva Wood had high recreational values and Maidendale would play a vital recreational role for Firthmoor once fishing facilities were opened next year.

Mr Roxby said Brankin Moor had long been a premier site for dragonflies.

Benefits of local reserves included the council being able to gain access to funding to develop the sites.

Mr Roxby said raising awareness of the sites was a priority.

Referring to the introduction of fishing, Roy Atkinson of the residents' panel said: "When we create such a facility in an urban area, we also create problems such as poaching and litter and a lot of time will need to be spent on that."

Countryside officer Rob George said: "It is worth it as fishing is being developed as an alternative to criminal activity through the Government's 'get hooked' scheme."

Coun Ron Lewis said: "It is all very commendable but I am also worried about the management of this scheme."

Clifford Evans of Durham Wildlife Trust said visitor centres should be high on the agenda.