THE merits of "sausage banners" around Darlington to promote the town centre are to be discussed at a meeting of the Town Centre Forum this week.

The unusual banners first appeared in the town as part of a trial run in May last year, and were put up on lampposts to promote the town centre for five weeks.

Dubbed "sausage banners" by local people, they reappeared on lampposts around the town centre during November and December, in the design of a Christmas cracker and a Christmas drum, in a bid to draw in shoppers during the festive period.

The banners are designed to be used in short-term campaigns of up to six weeks, to highlight to visitors any special events taking place in the town centre, such as bank holiday opening hours and Christmas shopping hours.

Members of the forum will discuss the use of the banners at their next meeting, which takes place on Thursday, and will be told by officers from Darlington Borough Council that they have been well received by traders, visitors and businesses alike.

The forum will also update members on the progress of uniformed wardens in the town centre.