SENIOR councillors last night gave their support to the controversial introduction of on-street parking charges in a North-East town.

Darlington Borough Council cabinet members backed to the scheme, which will see a charge of 80p an hour enforced in some streets in the town centre.

Traders have launched petitions against the scheme and have lobbied the council, arguing that they could suffer a serious loss of trade if customers are deterred from parking.

But the issue was approved by the cabinet without any discussion or debate.

The full council must also approve the measure at a later date before the charges can be implemented.

Charges would be imposed in Beaumont Street, South Arden Street, Grange Road, Northumberland Street, Larchfield Street, Powlett Street, Primrose Street, East Raby Street, Raby Street, West Powlett Street, Duke Street, Barnard Street, Barnard East Back Street, Winston Street, Napier Street, King Street, Kendrew Street, Gladstone Street, North Lodge Terrace, Park Place, Swan Street, Hargreave Terrace, Victoria Road and Victoria Embankment.