THREE Darlington borough councillors have held an innovative surgery to encourage parents and carers to take an active part in local politics.

Councillors Cyndi Hughes, Joe Lyonette and Glen Reynolds, from the Park East ward, held a Politics and Play surgery at the Dolphin Centre on Saturday. The idea of the surgery was to allow people to meet their councillors without having to worry about childcare.

Coun Hughes said: "We need to meet people where they are, and if that means being available to constituents and their children in a playful environment, we are happy to do that.

Others will be held on the first Saturdays of November and December, from 10am to 11am in the Dolphin Centre.