RESIDENTS on a Darlington estate hope to overthrow a decision to ban smoking in a new £1.2m community centre.

The trustees of the building.on the Firthmoor estate decided to make it non-smoking after a meeting last month.

But members of the estate's community association now want to call a special general meeting to hold another vote.

The row is threatening to overshadow the opening of the centre, named Maidendale House, on January 12.

On Thursday, there were heated arguments between residents and staff in a meeting at the old community centre, in Burnside Road.

Residents claimed that on Tuesday evening, they were kept out of a meeting where they hoped to air their views.

Estate leaders say the ban is for the good of the estate's residents, more than 70 per cent of whom smoke.

Trustee David Preston said: "We are trying to promote healthy living at the new centre. Firthmoor is one of the worst places in Darlington for smoking and for brain, heart, and lung problems.

"We have got to lead by example and take a responsible attitude. We did look at a partial smoking policy but decided against it."

He said the building's trustees could be liable if people suffered passive smoking- related illnesses after attending the centre.

Neighbourhood manager Sally Forth denied residents were kept out of the meeting.

She said nobody asked to come and talk about the issue.

Trustee Kate Vallin, who is against the ban, said: "People are threatening to go in there and smoke and then what will they do?

"They haven't asked for the estate's opinion. They should, at the very least, provide outdoor shelters for smokers."

Centre staff members Janice Dodsworth and Sandra Duff are resigning in protest at the ban.

Mrs Dodsworth said: "All we want is a little room. Is that too much to ask?"

She said smokers would use the community centre in Pilmoor Green, rather than Maidendale House.