THREE Darlington councillors are aiming to freshen up the tired ward surgery format by holding it in a music venue.

Cyndi Hughes and Malcolm Wright, Labour councillors for Park East on Darlington Borough Council, will hold a surgery in the Forum Music Centre, in Borough Road, on Wednesday, from 6pm to 7pm.

The pair previously played together in a band.

Long-serving Cllrs Hughes and Wright will be joined by new councillor Michael Nicholson, who was elected in May.

Cllr Hughes – who is offering to take her guitar along on Wednesday and hold an impromptu jamming session – said the aim was to move away from the image of councillors holding dull surgeries in dusty community centres.

She said: "Of course, if someone wants to discuss a private issue, then we will deal with that in a respectful way.

"But I hope the surgery on Wednesday will be the opportunity to have a bit of fun.

"Most people email me with any issues, but there is still a traditional group of people who think councillors are just available at their surgery times.

"I want to remind people that we councillors are just ordinary folk, who are part of the community.

"It's not as if we are a different breed of human."