A COMPROMISE may be reached in a row over a smoking ban at a £1.4m community centre in Darlington.

Residents have threatened to boycott Maidendale House, which is due to open on the Firthmoor estate on January 12, because of the no-smoking rule.

But now the centre's trustees are considering whether an outdoor shelter for smokers could be built.

Trustee Dave Preston said: "We have got to show an example within the building for the young people but we do want to find a solution before the centre opens.

"The issue will be whether we can get the funding."

The trustees and residents have asked The Northern Echo to give them equal space to argue their case on the issue.