A GOVERNMENT minister has praised a North-East town for the advances it has made in boosting public transport.

Yesterday, transport minister Gillian Merron congratulated Darlington on its success.

Speaking at the Sustainable Travel Town Conference, in Worcester, she highlighted Darlington's successes in increasing cycling, walking and use of public transport, and urged other local authorities to follow its example.

Darlington is one of three towns sharing £10m of Government funding for the five- year sustainable travel town project.

Research from the first three years of the scheme in Darlington shows a 14 per cent increase in public transport trips; 29 per cent increase in walking; 79 per cent increase in cycling and car journeys down by 11 per cent

Gillian Merron said: "These results show simple things like giving people information about public transport, starting car share schemes and encouraging people to walk and cycle more can have startling results.

"People in Darlington are already starting to swap their cars for walking, cycling and public transport.

"This can only be a good thing for reducing local congestion and pollution, improving people's health and helping to tackle climate change."

Travel advisors visited homes in Darlington and offered travel information tailored to individuals.

Comments were collected from residents about how their travel could be improved.