DARLINGTON’S oldest running club is hitting the fundraising trail to try and improve facilities at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

Although the complex has escaped the latest round of budget cuts by Darlington Borough Council, improvements could still be made to the facilities and Darlington Harriers are determined to make it happen.

They would like to see seating stands installed beside the running track as well as sheltered areas for spectators, along with a clubhouse and better storage facilities.

Harriers committee member Paul Cook said club members will try and raise as much as they can to fund the work but are also appealing for any Darlington businesses and philanthropists to support the project.

He said: “It is our home base so obviously we will benefit from it, but it is not just the Harriers who use the track up there.

“It can’t be much fun for parents who go and watch their kids there but have to stand on the grass getting soaked when it rains.

“It’s not just about trying to get better facilities for ourselves, it will provide better sports facilities for the town, for everybody who uses the Eastbourne track.”

A spokesman for Darlington Council, which owns and operates the complex, said improvements were already being made to some facilities and the authority is supportive of the Harriers’ ambitions.

He said: “In partnership with local junior football clubs, we have been successful in securing a grant from the Football Foundation to develop the ?all-weather pitch at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

“We have a great partnership with Darlington Harriers and are very supportive of their aspirations to help improve the running track at Eastbourne.”

Mr Cook said that the plans are at a conceptual stage so it was not possible to put a price on the desired improvements, but the club will be organising fundraising events and applying for grants to raise enough to progress the plans further.

The Harriers are currently celebrating their 125th year and anyone who can help in their Eastbourne endeavour can contact Mr Cook at paul.cook@ee.co.uk or 07967-262095.