THE results of a survey on how to save the arts in Darlington have been put to a public consultation.

About 1,500 responses were collected through Darlington Arts Enquiry Group's Take PART consultation through focus groups and postcard questionnaires.

The survey was to find out how people use the arts facilities in the town and how changes to the way they are provided would affect them.

The results were collated and the options available were debated at two public meeting on Monday evening and yesterday afternoon.

David Plews, who provided a presentation on the results said the options they provided were only for guidance and "not set in stone". He said: "We need people to look at a possible three options for the arts centre.

"Number one; keep it and have it run by a trust, charity or other organisation.

"Two; sell the building and put the profits into a smaller, purpose-built venue, perhaps in the town centre.

"Or three; sell the arts centre and build a new centre with a focus on young people and the arts.

"With options two and three we would need to look at the possibility of arts being provided through smaller buildings within the borough." In groups at the Dolphin Centre, individuals and organisations debated how the possible changes would affect them.

Representatives from Growing Older Living in Darlington said that a true arts centre had to be for all ages and not just focused on young people.

Attendees were also asked to debate whether they would like the centre to be managed by one large organisation, be it a charity or trust, or by a partnership of smaller groups.

John Gibson, representing Darlington for Culture, said: "I have visited many arts centres across the country and the more successful ones are run by people who know what they are doing, as opposed to small groups of volunteers."

The public consultation is ongoing and any views should be sent to enquiries@darlingtonarts.co.uk or by text to 07966-347132.