INFORMATION sessions to promote a controversial education proposal have cost Darlington taxpayers £40,000.

Officials from Darlington Borough Council have spent the past few months touring community venues and schools, explaining plans to build a £25m Church of England-sponsored Academy in the Eastbourne area of Darlington.

The plan would mean the closure of Hurworth School and Eastbourne Comprehensive, and has been very unpopular in the village of Hurworth.

Now it has emerged that the council bosses have spent almost £3,500 on venues and hiring audio equipment and almost £37,000 on leaflets and information boards at the 54 sessions to date. There are 12 more sessions planned.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We are talking about a project that could bring £25m into Darlington."

Last night Martin Swainston, a Liberal Democrat member of the council, said: "It is absolutely appalling. It works out at about £750 per session."

The total is the equivalent of employing two newly-qualified teachers for a year.

Councillor Swainston called on the council to stop wasting money on a plan that was so unpopular in a large area of the borough.

All of the meetings, most held in the evening, have been attended by between two and four council officials.

Council chief executive, Ada Burns, has presented some of them.

Last night, a spokeswoman for the council said there was no additional officer cost.

John Williams, leader of the council, and Chris McEwan, cabinet member for children's services, have each attended just one of the public meetings - where they sat in the audience.

A council spokeswoman said: "The information sessions have been held around the borough so everyone in the town has had an opportunity to hear the proposals.

"The aim of the sessions was to make sure everyone could find out about the proposals before the formal consultation began, and make an informed decision."

Governors, teachers and parents in Hurworth are against the academy plans, and the school is in the process of gaining foundation status, which would give it freedom from the local authority.

All of the teachers at Hurworth and Eastbourne schools have been invited to meet with Ms Burns and director of children's services Margaret Asquith in person to discuss the academy proposal.

The council is to submit a formal expression of interest in the academy next month. After this, a feasibility and public consultation will take place. The plan is to open the academy in 2009.

Ian Holme, spokesman for campaign group, Share, said: "What an extortionate waste.

"Every penny of this £40,000 has come out of the pockets of the people of Darlington."