THE region's fourth directly-elected mayor could be in post by the middle of next year, campaigners say.

As The Northern Echo reported yesterday, groups that are fed up with Darlington Borough Council have banded together to force a referendum on the issue.

The Referendum Group needs just under 4,000 signatures to force the council to hold a vote.

Yesterday, spokesman Clive Owen, a member of Darlington Civic Trust, which campaigned against the removal of Victorian features in the town, said they would be knocking on doors from Monday.

Nationwide, there have been 31 referendums, with six forced through petitions. The group is trying to contact campaigners from those six towns and cities.

A directly-elected mayor would have similar responsibilities to the leader of the council, but would be independent.

Council leader John Williams said: "If the requisite number of signatures is collected and presented to the council in the correct way, a referendum will be held."