THE conversion of Darlington's town centre library to accommodate disabled people has been given the final go-ahead.

Darlington Borough Council's plans for the historic listed building, in Crown Street, were passed to the Secretary of State for the Environment (Government Office North-East) in January for approval.

The scheme, which follows years of campaigning by disabled groups, was referred as a legal obligation because the library is a council-owned building and listed.

Council staff have been busy since the beginning of the year clearing an area in the basement where a lift will be installed on the corner of Crown Street and Priestgate.

This will give people who cannot use the two sets of steps in the building a chance to use the library.

Two years ago, disabled people in the town set up a task group to bring about the changes which they said had been too long in coming.

The move, by Darlington Association on Disability, came after plans were repeatedly postponed because of concerns about the cost of the scheme and because the building was listed.

As well as the new disabled-friendly access, the plans, which will cost £145,000, include lower counters, wheelchair-compatible furniture and lavatories, wider aisles, automatic doors and the removal of other doors which may prove a hindrance to people in wheelchairs.

There will also be facilities for people with hearing and sight difficulties, including an upgraded fire alarm system using visual warnings and high visibility signs.

Improved access and facilities will also allow the council to employ disabled people at the library for the first time.

A council spokesman said: "It's great news and it means we can now press ahead with the work that will make the library facilities fully accessible to people with restricted mobility."

When asked about the start of the main body of work, he said: "It won't be long."