A NEW arts quarter should be developed to boost a town's economy, according to regeneration chiefs.

And plans are being considered which could lead to an Edinburgh-style cultural festival being held in Darlington on a regular basis.

Members of the Darlington Partnership - a group of private, public, voluntary and community volunteers charged with leading the towns revival - believe the idea could make the town a more attractive place to live for professionals who would drive the local economy.

The partnership is divided into six task groups which aim to come up with innovative plans which could improve life for the boroughs 100,000 population.

Barclays Bank manager Mike Airey, chair of the economy group, said: W"e need to look at the town centre fringe, around the Civic Theatre and The Forum for instance.

"We could have an arts quarter there. In fact why not have a fringe festival and intercept people going North for the Edinburgh Festival and have them in our town enjoying events for a week."

Mr Airey said Darlington's geographical location and transport links make it easily accessible to the rest of the country.

He said the A66 dual carriageway improvements and the Eastern Transport Corridor project will ease congestion which could put off professionals and businesses from moving to the town.

Darlington Partnership chairman Alasdair MacConachie said the plans for an arts quarter were part of a raft of ambitious plans which could give the area's economy a boost.

"The foundations are already in place," he said.

D"arlington has a unique identity and everyone who lives here is fiercely proud of the borough."