THE agency responsible for promoting business in Darlington town centre has announced a line-up of events for 2016.

A car rally, a fashion show and plans to shine a spotlight on the town’s food producers are among the treats Distinct Darlington has in store for shoppers and visitors to the town.

Set up to support businesses and encourage a vibrant shopping experience, as well as a cleaner and safer town centre, Distinct Darlington recently announced its Christmas calendar of festive fun for the coming weeks.

And now chairman, Peter Bulmer, has revealed longer term initiatives for the year ahead.

On March 12, the town’s clothes shops and boutiques will be invited to take part in a large-scale fashion show while on Father’s Day, June 19, all manner of cars, vehicles and motorbikes will take part in a rally through the town centre.

Distinct Darlington’s popular annual OAP VIP event – aimed at informing older residents about the services, shops and facilities the town has to offer them – will make a welcome return on July 16.

Along with the return of the town’s annual Distinctly Delicious Festival of Food event – which showcases artisan food suppliers and producers – there will be a cocktail and restaurant week from August 15 to 21.

Mr Bulmer, who owns Coopers Tea Room in Post House Wynd and The Waterhouse Kitchen, in the covered market, said: “2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Darlington’s shoppers, residents, businesses and visitors alike.

“This is only an outline schedule and we will certainly plan to add additional events."

Distinct Darlington has attracted criticism from business owners unhappy at having to pay a levy to fund its services.