Darlington'S Conservative councillors were accused of "blatant electioneering" after they criticised a new policy for dealing with travellers at a council meeting.

Tory group chairman Councillor Charles Johnson told the meeting on Thursday that the policy for tackling illegal encampments in the town was not tough enough.

"When I read this report I thought 'softly, softly Darlington'," he said. "I read the report again and I though 'soft touch Darlington'.

"Unauthorised encampments are a blight. I see the report refers to the Human Rights Act.

"We must not tolerate any unauthorised encampment in Darlington. If we do so this will immediately send out messages which we will regret."

Council leader John Williams said the Tories had never previously shown any interest in problems with travellers.

"This is just pure blatant electioneering," he said. "You had no interest in this last summer. This new policy will help us deal even more effectively with it."

The policy, which was approved by the council despite the Conservative group not voting on it, includes a travellers' code of conduct, a summary of unacceptable locations, the possible reasons for eviction and a proposal for joint agreement on the subject between police and local authorities.

The authority has been forced to take action several times over the past year to evict caravans and travellers from sites in and around the town.