MORE talks should take place between Darlington Borough Council and its local health trust.

Marian Swift, chairman of the social affairs and health scrutiny committee, said that there had been a reluctance for anyone from the County Durham and Darlington Acute NHS Trust to attend its meetings.

She made the comments during the annual health check by the committee.

As part of its annual review of health services in the town, councillors wanted to see more improvements in the relationship between them and the trust.

But she added the trust had made some positive contributions when it did attend the scrutiny meetings.

Councillor Swift was also disappointed about the initial reluctance of the trust to comment on the council's efforts to promote breastfeeding.

The committee will put forward its final comments about all the health services affecting the town by its next meeting next month.