HEALTH chiefs have moved to allay fears about plans for new oxygen tanks at a North-East hospital.

South Durham Health Care Trust is seeking permission to site a Vacuum Insulated Evaporator facility, and replace an existing oxygen storage tank, in the grounds of Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The tanks would be used for the storage of oxygen to be used for patient care.

Darlington Borough Council's planning department has received two letters of objection.

They claim the development would have an adverse effect on nearby homes, as would tankers travelling along Elms Road to carry out top-ups.

Residents say there could be a danger to children at the George Dent Nursery School from the vehicles.

However, the health trust said there had been an increasing demand on reserves in recent years, and there was a need to address both operational stock and emergency reserves.

The proposed upgrade would increase the storage capacity to last a further seven days and the emergency reserves three days.

A 26-tonne delivery vehicle to replenish stock levels on the proposed tank would be used at about ten-day intervals.

A decision will be made at a planning committee meeting, on Wednesday.