A football club has warned it must be allowed to stage other activities at its stadium to guarantee its long-term future.

Darlington FC has applied to the borough council for permission to relax conditions restricting the events that can be held at its ground.

The club's former chairman, George Reynolds, had a long-standing battle with the council to allow events such as concerts and car boot sales to be held at the stadium.

The latest application has been criticised by people living nearby who feel any extra events at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena could cause noise and traffic problems.

But the club has said it will sign a legally-binding commitment that all non-football activities will be subject to tough criteria preventing nuisance from traffic, noise and litter.

Club chairman Stewart Davies said: "The club is in a stable financial position, but its long-term is only guaranteed if it is not hampered by planning conditions that do not afflict other clubs in the league."

The club has said it will consult police and the council at all events where more than 4,000 people are expected. It will also produce a green travel plan or transport strategy and will limit noise levels to 93 decibels.

Jan Mazurk, of the Neas-ham Road Group, which opposed the siting of the stadium, said: "The Human Rights Act gives us the right to a peaceful and quiet environment and I believe this will be curtailed by the effect of the numbers of visitors."

The club has said a report into the impact of a successful football team, carried out in Cardiff, has shown it can have a major contribution to the local economy.

A council spokesman said: "We've received the application from the club. As part of the normal process it will be going to consultation locally and taking views from various local people and organisations."

The application is expected to be considered at a planning committee meeting on May 3.