Darlington'S largest-ever residents' only parking scheme will be introduced next week.

People living in 800 properties will benefit from the scheme, which starts on Monday, after lengthy consultations between Darlington Borough Council and residents.

The scheme, which has cost £35,000 to implement, is the fourth, and by far the largest, introduced by the authority.

It is aimed mainly at reducing the number of people who park their cars in streets while visiting or working at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

In recent years, people living near the hospital have been involved in confrontations with motorists who park outside their homes.

On one occasion, an ambulance with an emergency patient on board could not get through because of the number of vehicles parked in the streets.

A total of 294 parking spaces have been created exclusively for residents in particular sections of two zones, E and F.

This streets in zone E are Hollyhurst Road, Witbank Road, Oakhurst Road, Limehurst Road, Bloomfield Road, Orchard Road, Vine Street, Vancouver Street, Reid Street and Craig Street.

Those in zone F are Maude Street, Greenbank Road, West Crescent and Elms Road.

Residents' parking will operate between 8am and 6pm, from Monday to Saturday.

People living in the 14 streets will be issued with permits allowing them to park in the restricted areas.

Some waiting restrictions have also been introduced on sections of the streets and in back streets, to improve road safety.

Additionally, there will be some sections of two-hour parking available in Elms Road, Hollyhurst Road and Orchard Road, to help non-residents who wish to use nearby shops and facilities.

The scheme will be enforced by the council's car parking wardens. All other restrictions will be covered by the police.

People found to be parking illegally in resident parking bays will be given a fine of £20, with those who refuse to pay facing criminal charges.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington council's cabinet minister for highways and transport, said: "Residents have long had problems with commuters and people visiting the hospital parking their cars in these streets, and making it difficult for people to park outside their homes.

"This new scheme will solve that problem and help improve the quality of life for local residents.