AN Internet website has been launched to help visitors to Darlington's Cornmill Shopping Centre.

The website, www.cornmillcentre.co.uk was launched yesterday with details of stores, car parking, opening times and maps.

There are also links to the tenant stores' websites, details of vacant units and a link to the centre's letting agent, ACR Commercial Property, so inquiries can be made via the site.

There will also be details of how people can book an exhibition or sale site, and information about events being held at the shopping centre.

These will include the tenth anniversary festivities being held from Tuesday to Thursday, August 27 to 29, once the programme is finalised at the start of next month.

The website has been developed by Susan Young, deputy manager at the Cornmill Shopping Centre, with help from Wotnot Web Works.

There may also be a link added to a future Darlington Town Centre Management website.

"This is another way of getting information about the centre across to the general public," Ms Young said.

Centre staff are awaiting the arrival of a CD4U machine, which is due to be installed in the new downstairs exhibition space, through which people can record video messages on CD ROMs.

Centre manager Albion Small said he hoped a planning application, submitted last month to Darlington Borough Council, would be granted next month, to allow an extra tier to be added to the Cornmill's car park.

The extra 176 spaces would take the total in the car park to 426. If approval is given, work on the extension could start next February.