COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision on whether 32 flats should be built on the site of a former petrol station in Darlington.

More than 40 letters of objection to the proposal, for land behind Cockerton Club, in Woodland Road, were received by Darlington Borough Council. The authority's planning committee heard on Wednesday that residents were not against development but felt the flats would be unsympathetic to the area. The committee agreed to defer its decision to give the applicant, Maro Developments, the chance to amend the plan.

SURGERY EXTENSION: A doctors' surgery, in Denmark Street, Darlington, has applied to the borough council for permission to build a single storey extension with office accommodation.

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES: A church service, combined with fun activities for children, will take place at All Saints Church, in Ravensdale Road, Darlington, on Friday, August 22, at 10.30am.

ORANGE PLAN: Mobile phone company Orange has applied to Darlington Borough Council to install a 11.5m telecommunications post and related equipment on land behind Coniscliffe Road in the town.

PATCHWORK GROUP: A patchwork and quilting group has been established at Heighington Village Hall. Beginners and more experienced craft workers are welcome to join. For more information, contact (01325) 300489.

NEW WEBSITE: Year Ten students at Longfield School, in Darlington, are working to create a website for the school. They have been helped by the School of Journalism at Darlington College of Technology. The site should be online by next month and will include school news and advice for students.

GARDEN PARTY: A garden party at Sundial Cottage, in Haughton, Darlington, has raised £326.44 for the NSPCC. The party was hosted by the curate of St Cuthbert's Church, Peter Sinclair, and his family, at the end of June.

CHURCH TOWELS: A Darlington church has produced its own tea towel for parishioners. St James the Great Parish Church, in Albert Hill, is selling the items, which feature the church's scallop shell symbol. For more details, contact (01325) 732002.

SCHOOL NEWS: Youngsters at North Road Primary School, in Darlington, have produced their own free newspaper.