STAND together and oppose the cuts, is the message to residents from the Green Party.

Darlington’s Green Party has issued a statement in response to proposed £12.5m cuts recently announced by the town’s borough council.

Members say they are deeply worried for the welfare of the many residents who will be affected by swingeing cuts to services.

Criticising central government for driving the cuts with a reduction in funding, the statement calls for a united front to oppose devastating austerity measures.

It says: “The cuts to services announced by Darlington Borough Council are shocking.

“They will lead to a future that is darker and harder for us all.

“While everyone living and working in Darlington will suffer as a result of these cuts, the people to be hit the hardest will be the old, the young, the poor and the disabled, the ill and the plain unlucky.”

It added: “Some of us were born and raised in Darlington, others chose to move to this beautiful town.

“All who are passionate about this town should stand together to oppose cuts that will do severe damage to the fabric of our community.”