Darlington Borough Council is taking steps to ensure that its housing services are equally accessible to all.

A racial equality housing statement has been prepared by council officers and will be discussed by councillors at the social affairs and health scrutiny committee meeting tomorrow.

The borough has a growing ethnic minority population.

It stood at 1.5 per cent in the 1991 census, about 1,500 people, compared with 5.9 per cent nationally. But recent analysis of Darlington schools data suggests that the figure has doubled, and the trend seems likely to continue.

The borough has the highest proportion of ethnic minority groups in County Durham, and the report highlights the needs for a more structured response to their housing needs in some council wards.

The statement says: "Our vision is to treat all individuals fairly and to ensure that the housing services are made available to all members of the community, regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin."

Councillors will discuss several objectives set out in the statement to achieve its aims.