COUNCILLORS have urged the people of Darlington to back the campaign to save the town's highly successful Primary Care Trust (PCT)

Proposals have been tabled that could see Darlington's PCT swallowed up into a larger regional body.

The plans have received widespread condemnation in the town, and health bosses are coming under mounting pressure to scrap the proposals, which could see a County Durham-wide PCT created to serve a population of about 592,000.

Such a large organisation would be formed by merging the area's six PCTs - Darlington, Durham and Chester-le-Street, Easington, Sedgefield, Derwentside and Durham Dales.

But the town's MP, Alan Milburn, and senior officials from Darlington Borough Council have stressed that such a move would be damaging to the successful partnerships that have been forged between the authority, the PCT and other agencies over recent years.

Ada Burns, the council's chief executive, has urged that a firm response be sent to the Strategic Health Authority (SHA), making it clear that the council feels no analysis of costs and other impacts upon organisations has been considered, nor has the immense value of local knowledge been taken into account.

The report will be presented to a meeting of the social affairs and health scrutiny committee on Tuesday.

At a full meeting of the borough council on Thursday night, councillors spoke out against the proposals and urged people across the borough to voice their opposition before the March 22 consultation deadline.

Councillor John Williams, leader of the council, called for the town's support.

"We want our PCT to continue with the same boundaries as it is now," he said.

"It is very important that individual letters are sent on this issue from people, and I would urge people to write in."

Councillor Doris Jones, also chair of Middleton St George parish council, said village residents were against the plans after attending an information session.

"Residents were briefed as to what the future plans are, and as a result, Middleton St George parish council will be writing in support of the opposition, as I am sure many of the residents will be," she said.

Councillor Bryan Thistlethwaite, the council's cabinet member for adult services, said: "Working relationships with the PCT are second to none and must not be taken apart.

"The organisation has succeeded for years and it seems to be a case of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'."