'It's not a Town Crier - it's the Town Liar'

This month's edition of the 32-page magazine, which is delivered to every home in the borough, carries four pages of news about support for the council proposal to close Hurworth and Eastbourne schools and merge them to create a £25m academy on the outskirts of Darlington.

The magazine does not mention any controversy over the plans - despite strong opposition in Hurworth village and in other parts of the borough.

Last night, Ian Holme, a member of Hurworth campaign group Save Hurworth and Rural Education (Share), said: "It's more like the Town Liar than the Town Crier, it looks as if the council is starting to believe its own propaganda."

He said the council was acting as if there was no opposition.

"I wonder, if they have managed to make themselves believe this, maybe they should all have a day at the seaside and spend their time attempting to turn back the tide, so convinced they must be of their own influence," said Mr Holme.

Graham Robb, the media advisor to the Conservative Party in Darlington, said: "The people who have nicknamed it the Town Liar speak more for the town than those who edit the publication."

"Every story slavishly puts the Labour Party's policy, there is not even a token column for the Conservative opposition.

"The Town Crier has no credibility whatsoever and can only be regarded as a publicly-funded freesheet for the Labour Party.

"It is time the publication was either balanced or closed."

This month's Town Crier mentions the academy support group set up in Eastbourne - and publishes contact names and numbers. However, there is no mention of the groups opposing the merger.

Yesterday, a Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "The council has undertaken an information campaign to make sure members of the public are fully informed about the academy proposal. The Town Crier is part of that process. As well as providing news and information for residents, the Town Crier will always promote the council's views and policies.