RESIDENTS fighting to ensure a former school building is converted into a community facility are to approach English Heritage for help with their campaign.

People living near the derelict Harrowgate Hill Infant School, in Darlington, have spoken of their concern at the building being offered for sale, and fear it could be demolished to make way for more housing.

The deadline for sale has been set for March 23.

A group has been set up to try to ensure the building, which opened in 1909, is preserved, and is used as a community centre or library for the 8,000 residents of North Road and Harrowgate Hill.

They are preparing a case to send to English Heritage, which will attempt to prove the building is of historical importance and should not be demolished.

Resident Tina Jones said the group was determined to secure backing for its campaign.

"We are putting together documents and photographs to send to English Heritage, we are quite hopeful they will support us," she said.

"Some architecture experts we have had round said it is in a good state and we all think it is a lovely building.

"The last thing we want to see is a developer buy it and then flatten it."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said it could not yet comment on the bid for English Heritage backing, but said the area has been subject to significant investment in recent years.

"Our spending includes £80,000 on activities for 14 to 19-year-olds and opening a new £5.5m Harrowgate Hill Primary School," he said.

"In terms of community facilities for everyone, part of the former Rise Carr Primary School is being turned into a new pupil referral unit.

"That £2m project will include part of the site being made available for community use. A multi-use games area will also be created there."