HOUSE of Fraser has announced it plans to close its stores in Darlington and Middlesbrough as part of a major cost-cutting exercise.

Here are some of your comments on the news:

Sarah Jane Hall: I worked for 15 years in the store. I met my husband here and made some amazing friends and have so many great memories. It's so sad to see it go and thoughts are with all those friends who are still working there.

Angela Rushworth: How sad. Where will we go, it's the only high class store in Darlington. Not all of us want to shop online or out of town.

Craig Whitehead: The only way to save the town is A get rid of the labour council B bring back the market to the actual market square.

Emma Chapman: Gutted! It’s the only shop in Darlington that I actually like!

Richard Tricky: Not Darlo Binns no way! Really a sad day for the town.

Alicia Boon: No no no I need to be able to get my Mac lipsticks.

Shaun Smith: It'll be converted into flats like most of the town centre before long.

Paul Hardie: What’s me Mum and Auntie Brenda gonna do now for their coffee mornings?

Michael Cameron Forster: A very sad day for the staff and Darlington.

Ruth Pearson: Very sad to see Binns go and with M&S going, Darlington will be a ghost town, without the footfall others shops may leave too. I'm sorry for all those loosing their jobs.

Marg Hodgson: Hopefully something will take its place, it is bad news but I for one don’t shop there.

Chris Gill: Sad so so sorry to hear it feel sorry for the staff it’s devastating news.

Gillian Lea Beadle: Another one gone. Pointless shopping in Darlington anymore. It’s such a shame and all them jobs gone.

June Brown: The towns are being allowed to die, a lot of it is online shopping but also big shopping areas out of town where parking is not an issue and is generally free. The councils need to see this and adjust that. Also there are the biggies like Tesco and Asda who sell general stuff cheaper. Shame, it's been there a long time now and, as someone said, all those jobs.

Beryl Mary Owens: I will be so sad to see this go. Have always loved the shop in Darlington not just because of the goods and labels it sells and the lovely cafe and restaurant but because of the friendly staff. They are all lovely and always have time to say hello. It will be a sad loss for Darlington bit a sign of the times with online shopping high car parking fees etc. Darlington will be a ghost town.