A NORTH-EAST council is to announce a U-turn over secrecy following a campaign by The Northern Echo for more open local government.

Darlington Borough Council was accused of diluting democracy when it launched an experimental "cabinet-style" system last May, with members meeting behind closed doors.

But after The Northern Echo's Council Watch campaign generated strong public concern, the council's controlling Labour group has decided to scrap the idea of secret cabinets.

Council leader John Williams revealed that the group has made a policy decision to open up the controversial cabinets to the public, Press and other council members.

He acknowledged that The Northern Echo's campaign - supported by its sister papers, the Darlington & Stockton Times and the Advertiser - had been a significant factor in the policy change.

He said that since the new system was introduced for an experimental period, "we have had revised advice which has coincided with considerable public disquiet".

"I don't think there is any shame in getting an experiment wrong, as long as you are brave enough to change it when it's needed. We have listened to public opinion - particularly The Northern Echo's campaign - and changed tack."

Other North-East councils to scrap secret cabinets following public concern have included Newcastle City Council and Durham City Council. But other local authorities are pursuing the system, including Durham County Council, and district and borough councils in Sedgefield, Easington and Hartlepool.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said: "The cabinet is not the decision-making meeting. The major decisions at this council are made in open forum in our executive committees."

Hartlepool Borough Council said its closed-door situation would be reviewed and the issue go to public consultation next year.

Peter Barron, Editor of The Northern Echo, said of the latest breakthrough: "This is an important victory, not only for The Northern Echo, but for the people of Darlington who made the council listen about the importance of open local government.