A COMMUNITY centre has dropped its name because residents were unaware of its significance to the area.

Firthmoor & District Community Association met yesterday to discuss the name of the community centre on Burnside Road, Darlington.

The community centre in the Firthmoor area was called Maidendale Hosue, but the board has decided to drop the name.

In January, trustees launched a review to change the dynamics of the association, including a new logo, staff uniforms and redecorating.

The final phase of the programme was completed last week. The board said that after discussions were staff and service users, it had "become evident that the name Maidendale was irrelevant to the community."

As a result, the association has dropped the name and it will revert to Firthmoor Community Centre.

Further discussions will continue into the name of the nursery and children's centre based at the centre, which are respectively Maidendale Nursery and Maidendale Children's Centre.

Chairman Kevin Nicholson said: "It has been very evident in my first year as chairman that the name Maidendale has no relevance to our community, it often causes confusion. My message is clear any thing thats not will be simplified."