LIBERAL Democrats are leafleting thousands of residents in Darlington to find out their views on plans to move a college to the outskirts of the town.

Darlington College of Technology is keen to secure a modern facility, and is looking at the possibility of moving from its site in Cleveland Avenue.

It has already brought in specialist consultants to explore the feasibility of moving the campus from the West End of the town to the Morton Palms area of Darlington, off Yarm Road.

Although the plan is in its infancy, Liberal Democrats in the town have decided to consult local people to find out the level of support for any move.

Brian Fiske, chairman of the town's Liberal Democrats, said it was important to find out the views of residents and students before any decision.

He said: "We are looking to hand out more than 2,000 leaflets to residents living near the college, and hopefully we will be able to find out the views of some students during our consultation.

"We have only handed about 300 so far, but we want to assure people living around the college that we will continue to leaflet.

"Our aim is to find out what the people want, whether they would be happy for the college to move or whether they feel it should stay at its current site.

"If it were to move, then some residents might feel the problem of parking around the college would be removed, but no doubt there are arguments on both sides."

Sarah Farley, college principal, said: "It is premature for the Lib- Dems to be doing this. We could decide to develop the site we are on, move to another part of the town, do nothing at all or just carry out minor refurbishment. It is likely to be well into the autumn before we have an outcome."