THE Northern Echo has launched a petition to force a debate in Parliament on the crippling cuts that threaten the fabric of life in Darlington. 

Click here to show your support 

These cuts affect not only the most vulnerable but will impact on every corner of the borough and every sector of society. 

Social services, health, street cleaning, children's centres and even grass cutting are among the services to be hit hardest.

Some of the town’s most iconic buildings, including Darlington’s Victorian covered market and Central Library face closure unless a fairer deal can be reached.

Darlington is one example of the disproportionate public sector cuts being forced on councils across the north. 

We think this is unfair and we ask the Government to look again at its plans. 

This petition hopes to prevent this from occurring and save our historic market town. 

At 10,000 signatures the Government has to respond to the petition.

If we can gather 100,000 signatures, which is roughly equal to the number of people who live in the town, the petition will be considered for a debate in Parliament.