A CAMPAIGN to create a town council for Durham has stepped up a gear.

Volunteers have been taking a petition door to door to gather signatures over the last fortnight.

If they secure the support of 7.5 per cent of the electorate within the city - about 1,400 people - Durham County Council must consult on the issue, through a Community Governance Review.

Backers say they have received a very positive response on the doorstep and already gathered 500 names.

A town council, which would cover the currently unparished city centre area, could take over running some local services such as parks and open spaces, as well has having a say on planning issues.

There have been claims of a “democratic deficit” since Durham City Council was abolished in 2009, but an attempt to create a town council failed in 2012 amid widespread public apathy.

A new campaign was launched earlier this year, fuelled by anger at a string of controversial planning decisions taken by the county council.

Durham City Labour MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said: “A number of residents contacted me to express their wish for more local representation within Durham City and I am delighted with the incredible response to my petition calling on the council to carry out a Community Governance Review.

“Teams of residents have already been out and about in Durham City speaking to people about this campaign and there is a huge demand within the city for a town council.

“We have already gathered almost 500 signatures within the past few days and will be out in Durham over the coming weeks to gather more support for a formal town council consultation and hopefully a stronger local democratic voice within Durham City.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Martin said: “People in the city are backing the petition. We’re all angry there has been a democratic deficit.

“I’m very much in favour of a town council. I just wish we’d done it three years ago.”

Meanwhile, a Neighbourhood Planning Forum created last year is working to create a Neighbourhood Plan to improve the city centre. For more information, visit npf.durhamcity.org.uk