PEOPLE who live in listed buildings are being urged not to carry out home improvements without planning permission.

It is illegal for any change to be made to a listed building, which affects its appearance, without consent.

In the past three months, planning enforcement officers from Darlington Borough Council have come across eight cases of listed buildings being fitted with plastic window frames.

In each case, the owners of the house have been told they must arrange for the windows to be replaced either with the original frames or a like-for-like replacement.

If they refuse, an enforcement notice could be put on the building requiring the work be done by a certain date.

A council spokeswoman said: "Listed buildings are an important part of our heritage and are an important addition to the local environment.

"The council is proud of the borough's listed buildings and we know that many owners are too.

"We would urge anyone planning work to come to us for advice before they start."

A register of listed buildings in Darlington is available at the town hall and the Crown Street library.

Anyone wanting advice on carrying out work on listed buildings, can call the council on (01325) 388604.