THE Conservative Party is planning to use the latest on-line technology in an attempt to improve its representation on two County Durham councils in next year's local elections.

The party hopes to reach beyond its traditional membership in Darlington and Sedgefield by campaigning with the use of the latest online technology, including podcasts and weblogs.

It comes a week after the Tories increased their share of the vote nationally in this year's council elections to more than 40 per cent.

Yesterday, the Tory leader in Darlington said the party hoped to cash in on a series of unpopular decisions made by the ruling Labour group in Darlington over the past year.

Councillor Tony Richmond said: "The controlling group has ignored the concerns of a large section of the population over some serious issues. They have now got a reputation for arrogance and not listening to the public."

He cited controversial pedestrianisation of Darlington town centre as one example.

As part of the Tory campaign, high profile speakers will be visiting the area - including former Tory leader William Hague, MP for Richmond, who will speak on May 20 at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena.

The group will be introducing a website later this year, which will include podcasts (audio-visual files which can be downloaded from the Internet on to portable devices) and weblogs (online diaries).

The South Durham Conservatives have seen an increase in membership since David Cameron became party leader, and the group is now advertising for candidates in Darlington and Sedgefield.

Chairman Councillor Charles Johnson said: "These are exciting times for Conservatives in Darlington. We have our strongest membership since the 1980s, when we controlled the local council and had a Conservative MP.

"But we want to reach out even further and hear from people who are natural Conservatives and would bring new ideas and experience."

John Williams, leader of Labour-controlled Darlington Borough Council said: "The Conservatives made no impression in Darlington or our region in last week's elections. In all of Newcastle and Sunderland, there is only one Tory councillor - that's failure, not success.

"There's a lot going on in Darlington. In education alone, since 1997 we have invested £100m in our schools.

"Labour makes things happen in Darlington - the Tories are all talk, just gimmicks and froth."

Anyone interested in joining the Conservativescan call (01325) 462283.