ASBESTOS at one of the region's leading theatres will be removed during the summer, if the local council approves the project on Thursday.

Work to remove the asbestos from the stage area of Darlington Civic Theatre is being given high priority by council officers.

The work is expected to cost £35,000, including the replacement of the fire curtain, and is scheduled to begin during the scheduled summer closure of the theatre. It is on a list of 13 schemes to meet the priority criteria for capital spending.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "Many buildings contain asbestos. At one time, it was the only fire retardant material used. Removing it is part of our ongoing programme of asbestos manage- ment.

"As the fire curtain needs to be replaced, and as this could disturb the asbestos at the sides of the stage area, it makes sense to remove it at the same time."

He added that there had never been any risk to theatre-goers, employees or performers at the theatre from the asbestos.

Each of the 13 schemes will be funded from £1.2m of savings made by the council last year.

Included in the list of schemes is an IT system for the social services department, costing £100,000; fire prevention work to Crown Street library and Central House roofs, costing £27,000; maintenance work to keep up the appearance of the town centre; a resource centre for visually impaired people, at £25,000; funding for the South Park restoration scheme of £160,000; £30,000 worth of improvements to Abbots Yard car park; and £100,000 for highways and pavements.

A £30,000 study to look into the future use of all council buildings, including the town hall, is also seen as a priority.