THE next wave of a project to reduce the number of suicides in Darlington and County Durham has been set out.

Darlington, once called the suicide capital of the country, is still falling short of a Government target to reduce the number of people who take their own lives.

The latest figures show that every year about 12 people in Darlington, which has a population of 100,000, kill themselves.

This is compared with an average of about ten per 100,000 population.

However, a few years ago, the number of suicides in Darlington reached 18 a year, so significant progress has been made since the action plan was launched several years ago.

The latest stage will look at how to stop people from using exhaust gas, firearms or hanging to take their own lives.

The plan will see more high-profile campaigns targeting at-risk groups and will work to improve some of the North-East's most notorious suicide spots.

Nationally, the Government has set councils the target of reducing suicide rates by 20 per cent.

The latest figures show Darlington is making good progress, but work still needs to be done before the target date of 2010.

The action plan, to be discussed by Darlington Borough Council's social affairs and health scrutiny committee on Tuesday, lists achievements to date.

Health workers have made contact with the rail industry and hope to introduce safety measures at suicide hotspots, including Durham railway station.

Letters have also been sent to every GP in Darlington and County Durham recommending a reduction in the prescribing of some medication which is toxic if taken as an overdose.

A basic course on suicide prevention was developed by the University of Teesside, and was fully subscribed.

In the next few years, health bosses at the Darlington and County Durham Priority Services NHS Trust will debate the benefits of school and college counsellors, work with pharmacies, and put more signposts at suicide hotspots.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: "The report provides our scrutiny committee with a comprehensive overview of the progress made so far and plans for the next five years regarding this issue.

"Our members will consider the details on our report at the meeting on January 11."