HUNDREDS of balloons were released in Darlington on Saturday to mark the official opening of the elected mayor referendum's "yes" campaign.

On September 27, the town will vote on the issue of whether to follow in the footsteps of Hartlepool and Middlesbrough and introduce a directly-elected mayor.

The "yes" campaign kicked off on Saturday with the release of several hundred white balloons to symbolise the non-political nature of the campaign.

If residents vote in favour of an elected mayor, they will work with a cabinet, assuming a role similar to the existing council leader.

Another person will take over some duties of the existing ceremonial mayor, attending civic functions and carrying out charity work, but under a different title.

Stuart Hill, of the "yes" campaign, said the group included members of all three major political parties.

"Members of the 'yes' campaign have come to the conclusion that the established set-up in Darlington is failing the people," he said.

"The biggest number of people actively involved are not of any political party but are interested in the town."

He said an elected mayor would save the town money and was more democratic than a council leader chosen by party members.

"It is not one vote, one person, it is 29 Labour councillors, one person."

He challenged supporters of the "no" faction to publicly launch their campaign.

Alan Charlton, who is against an elected mayor for the town, said: "All the 'yes' campaign are saying is that they want us to pay for a very expensive overlord with dictatorial powers who can ignore the councillors that we the people of Darlington have elected.

"Darlington is a fine town to live in with a 140-year-old mayoral system, which embraces all political parties and is seen by many as the best model in the UK."