MORE than 1,000 people have responded to a call to back arts provision across Darlington.

A total of 1,200 residents have contacted the Darlington arts inquiry group's Vo ices and Views programme after reductions in public sector funding threatened existing provision at Darlington's Arts Centre and Civic Theatre.

Organisers of the consultation hope at least another 300 will put forward their views by the end of the first round.

Vo ices and Views is one of the group's four areas of work and involves residents, artists and arts administrators, education, business, the voluntary sector and Darlington Borough Council.

The consultation is asking people about a range of arts activities, from reading a novel or watching a film at home, taking part in a play at school, or being part of a painting class, to going to the theatre or visiting exhibitions ofprofessional visual arts.

John Orchard, of Marchday, owner of Lingfield Point, who chairs the inquiry group, said: "We looked at the findings so far at our latest meeting and they are really encouraging.

"More than 90 per cent of respondents have participated in some form of arts activity in the past 12 months, and 93 per cent have been in the audience for a performance or exhibition.

"What matters right now is finding out how important creative activity is to local people, whether at home, school or through arts venues and these initial findings suggest that it is very important across the community.

"The survey will help us to shape the new approaches that are needed in these challenging times.

"We are working towards a new vision for the arts in Darlington, together with the funding, management structures and building solutions needed to turn the vision into reality."

The next phase of the consultation this month will ask people about different options for the future of arts provision in Darlington.

To contact the group, email enquiries@darlington.co.uk Questionnaires can be completed at surveymonkey.com/TakingpART or darlington.org.uk