CONSERVATIVE councillors have criticised the creation of two new Press officer posts at Darlington Town Hall.

The positions in Darlington Borough Council's public relations department have been advertised with a maximum salary of £26,000 - and will double the council's media relations team.

Tory councillors say the appointments come at a time of PR disasters for the council.

Councillor Tony Richmond, leader of Darlington Conservatives, said: "The Labour Party has created its own PR disasters in Darlington. They should not be charging Darlington Council taxpayers to try and dig them out of a hole by recruiting expensive extra Press officers. The real problem is Labour Party policy."

He said problems included Hurworth School and Darlington on the Move policy, which has driven shoppers away from the town centre during the Christmas shopping period.

Coun Richmond added: "None of these failures can be changed by a larger cohort of Press officers. Real political change is required. Under Labour, the council just keeps getting more expensive and less effective."

A council spokesman said: "Darlington council has a good record for providing cost- effective communications. Its residents' magazine, The Town Crier, is a good example of this as it is the only council magazine in the country to be funded by advertising revenue."