NEW planters are being installed as part of Darlington's £6.5m Pedestrian Heart scheme to create a town centre full of flowers.

Five long planters will form a line between High Row and West Row and a curved one will be installed to create a new events area.

The granite planters will be permanent and will also contain shrubs and trees.

Joiners are constructing the bases and the drainage pipes are being put into position.

Councillor David Lyonette, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: "These new planters will make a huge difference to how the town centre looks.

"Darlington has a strong tradition in the Britain in Bloom competitions.

"The town centre is always, year after year, filled with wonderful floral displays and these planters will help us to build on this."