A REPORT on Darlington's library provision urges councillors to give 'urgent attention' to building a new library in the north of the town.

The report, written by a group set up to investigate Darlington Borough Council's library standards, says plans for a new library should be 'included in future budgets and visions.'

The report reveals that the council's lack of libraries means it is failing to meet 13 of the 30 Public Library Standards set out by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Only 53 per cent of households are within a mile of a library, compared to the Public Library Standard of 88 per cent.

The report says Darlington won't reach Government standards unless more static libraries are provided.

But it says that the standards themselves are under review and are likely to focus more on quality than quantity in the future.

The group also found that the council's mobile library was in disrepair and needed replacing, costing £130,000.

The e-library at Crown Street, which costs £30,000 a year to run, may have to close or reduce its opening hours because there is no money in the council's budget.

The report noted that some schemes were in place to improve library provision.