AS an old man of 46, I now live in the US, but was lucky enough recently to visit Darlington, where I was born and grew up.

The design and strategy of the new town centre is wonderful. While keeping traffic from most of the area, it manages to keep its market town character.

Modern sculpture and art have been successfully interwoven with the old buildings and the whole area seemed cleaner and safer. Many businesses have joined in the spirit by adding flowers to the front aspect of their buildings - hopefully more will join them.

This is just the sort of revitalisation that is required to persuade people back from the outof- town shopping centres.

Congratulations to the council for its forward-thinking and the design and construction companies which created the vision.

Andrew Dodd, Commerce, Michigan, US.