COUNCIL chiefs have hailed new figures showing that the number of people visiting Darlington town centre has dramatically increased.

Darlington Borough Council said that 10,240 more motorists used the town's short stay car parks in October and November, compared to the same period last year.

On top of that, 15,000 tickets were sold for the East Street car park, which was taken over by the authority earlier this year.

The top deck of the car park was opened a few weeks ago, providing an extra 160 spaces.

Town hall bosses were delighted with the statistics, saying they represented a major boost for the town centre's economy.

Nick Wallis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "These figures show that the council's commitment to providing parking facilities in the town centre is attracting more people to spend money.

"The investment in the new deck of the East Street car park has increased the number of parking spaces in the town and the figures for the number of people using it show how popular it is.

"Darlington council is committed to reviving the town centre and schemes such as Pedestrian Heart will make it an even more attractive place to visit and shop."

However, Conservative councillors said there could be no disguising a decline in the local economy, largely due to the introduction of parking charges on many streets in and around the centre.

Tory group leader, Tony Richmond, said: "The fundamental problems are still there. It is well recognised that footfall in the town centre is down and it is having an adverse effect on the economy.

"When you couple that with the fact that traffic congestion is getting worse, the council has to start addressing these things.

"The congestion is horrendous. If there is to be a vibrant town centre, which is what we all want, the council has to make it easier for people to get in and out of Darlington."