THE leader of Darlington Borough Council has been given more than 700 objections to the Pedestrian Heart project.

The comments were collected by Beryl Hankin, who runs the Guru Boutique, in Blackwellgate.

She organised the survey after becoming dismayed at the project, which she believes is unsuitable for the town centre and too costly.

Council leader Councillor John Williams went to Guru to pick up the comments on Friday.

Ms Hankin estimates that 701 were against, with just ten in favour.

She said: "There were also too many verbal and phone messages to count."

Of the objections, 245 were worried about the effect on Darlington's heritage, 183 objected to the cost and 273 had safety concerns.

The council said it would reply to every person who gave their comments to Ms Hankin.