TELEPHONE help points installed in three Darlington car parks should make town centre parking safer.

Seven help points have been installed - two in the Town Hall car park, one in Garden Street and four in Commercial Street.

The help points, sited next to pay and display machines, work on a push-button system and are connected to the council's CCTV control room, which is always staffed and has rapid access to emergency services.

The points are also to help customers experiencing difficulty with car park facilities, or wishing to report faults.

The car parks hold the Secured Car Park Award, operated by the Association of Chief Police Officers, and the council is looking to expand the scheme to other areas.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "The help points will give further security and peace of mind for people parking their cars and make Darlington an even safer, easier and more attractive place to shop and visit."