A Darlington Cabinet member has pledged to find a town centre alternative to Darlington's Crown Street art gallery as an exhibition centre.

Campaigners will be out on High Row on Saturday, February 23, collecting signatures for a petition against the proposed changes to the gallery.

It is earmarked as space for much-needed public internet facilities associated with the adjoining library.

A spokesman for Darlington Society of Arts said: "This would be a grave loss to the cultural life of Darlington. There are many places where people can use computers, such as local schools and colleges, but no other venue for temporary local exhibitions of the kind held in Crown Street."

Coun Dorothy Long, cabinet member for leisure services, who will receive the petition, said: "I am aware of the lobby group and I am very, very sympathetic. I am beavering away behind the scenes to find a suitable alternative in the town centre."

But she could not justify keeping the gallery open with the need for internet space within libraries.

"We have lost that argument and we are not going to keep the gallery," she said, "but I am putting all my hope, faith and trust in getting an alternative for the Embroiderers' Guild and the Society of Arts.