Darlington may be on the brink of a new industrial boom.

This week the European Commission approved the UK government's new Assisted Areas map and with it the promise of up to £150m per year in regional state aid for all selected areas.

Darlington, accepted back onto assisted area status last year, has become a sought after area for industrial development.

As news of the decision reached town councillors on Wednesday, all were agreed - it was excellent news for the people of the town.

Deputy leader of the council, Coun Bill Dixon told the D&S Times it could signal the start of a job bonanza and general boom for the town.

He said: "This is something we have been working long and hard for ever since the previous government took the status away from us.

"It will be worth millions over the years for new and existing employers and for the first time in ten years we will have the money to run a proper industrial development strategy."

Darlington's MP Mr Alan Milburn has also worked with the council to get the Department of Trade and Industry to re-draw the map and include the town once again.

He said: ""Darlington has at last won a seven-year battle to have its industrial grants restored."

Industrial areas of the town now qualify as a tier two area which means that companies in that area are now eligible for Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grants.

The rest of Darlington is a tier three area, which qualifies it for Regional Enterprise Grants.

Coun Dave Lyonette, Darlington cabinet member responsible for regeneration and planning, said the town could now compete with any other area in Britain.

"Darlington has already been identified as having two of the best potential industrial sites in Europe at Faverdale and Yarm Road. We will make sure that all future brochures tell potential investors about them and about the assistance available for them."

Dr Bob Dobbie, regional director of the government office for the North-East, added: "RSA has been a powerful instrument for encouraging development in the North-East by overseas and UK companies.

"The new map represents an exceptionally good outcome for the region and we expect to put RSA to good use in providing jobs and further investment."

But leader of the Darlington

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