DINERS are being encouraged to eat out in their 'Darling town' as a campaign continues to help kick-start a town centre's economy.

Thousands of leaflets are set to drop through the letterboxes of the Darlington households as part of the council’s support to local businesses and to help promote the Government's 'Eat out to Help out' scheme.

Diners can save up to £10 in more than 50 local restaurants and cafes, which have signed up to the scheme.

This includes national chains such as Nando’s, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee as well as independent cafes, bars and restaurants.

Councillor Alan Marshall, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “Dine out campaigns such as the Love Darlo Restaurant Week have proved really popular in the past with thousands of people taking advantage of special offers.

"We hope that this campaign proves to be equally, if not more popular, than anything we’ve ever done.

“Now, more than ever, town centre businesses, especially food and drink, need the support of local people if they are going to survive this difficult time. Sadly, it really is a case of “use it or lose it” in some cases.

“As a council we are doing what we can to support local business and we call on residents now to play their part and dine out in Darlington.”

Diners can get 50 per cent off food and non-alcoholic drinks up to a total value of £10 per person for eating in every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between August 3 and 31.

The discount will be automatically available at participating establishments, which is then reimbursed by the government.

Here's which Darlington venues have signed up so far, according to Enjoy Darlington:

  • Al Forno Italian Restaurant, Skinnergate, 01325 466585
  • Bannatynes, Southend Avenue
  • Baydale Beck Inn, Low Coniscliffe
  • Blackwell Grange Hotel, Grange Road, 0330 1027238
  • Cafe Refresh, Bradbury House, Beaumont Street
  • Cafe Valente, Post House Wynd
  • Cafe Quick, Hollyhurst Road
  • Crown Buttery, Crown Street
  • Dolphin Centre, Market Square
  • Estabulo Bar & Grill, DL1 (Feethams)
  • Falafel Fella, Clark's Yard
  • Goosepool Hotel, Aviation Way 01325 333353
  • Hatch Luncheonette, Blackwellgate, 01325 380720
  • Hole in the Wall, Market Square, 01325 466720
  • Imperial Express Cafe
  • Kaspas, Northgate
  • Maggies Place, Duke Street
  • Manjaros, Imperial Quarter, Grange Road, 01325 483197
  • Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel, Priestgate
  • Meze Turkish Restaurant, Parkgate
  • Origins Coffee Bar Ltd
  • Otter & Fish, Hurworth
  • Oven, Duke Street, 01325 466668
  • Peartree Hill Cafe, Cockerton
  • Phixx Coffee Lounge, Skinnergate, 01325 482405
  • Picco Bar and Pizzeria, Bondgate
  • Salvos, Duke Street
  • Savoury from Darlington Market, Indoor Market, 07791 096039
  • Sol Tapas, Duke Street
  • Star of Bengal, Duke Street, 01325 464655
  • Subway, DL1 (Feethams)
  • Sunflower Cafe, Bucktons Yard
  • Sweet Escape, Northgate
  • Taste Of India, Parkgate
  • Tea with Alice, Tillage green
  • The Bay Horse, Hurworth
  • The Bridge Inn, The Green, Stapleton
  • The Burtree Inn, Burtree Gate, 01325 486645,
  • The Chinese Buffet, DL1 (Feethams)
  • The Copper Beech, Neasham Road, 01325 462951
  • The Diner, Indoor Market
  • The Fox and Hounds, Neasham, 01325 720350
  • The Juniper Tree, Grange Road
  • The Old Yard Tapas Bar, Bondgate
  • The Pennyweight, Market Square
  • The Spotted Dog, High Coniscliffe
  • The Springfield Hotel, Salters Lane South
  • The Tanners Hall, Skinnergate, 01325 369939
  • The Wandering Duck, Grange Road
  • The Waterhouse Kitchen, Indoor Market, 01325 464432
  • The Wheatsheaf, Yarm Road, 01325 461888
  • The William Stead, Crown Street, 01325 341440
  • Tiyatro Turkish Restaurant, Parkgate,
  • Tomahawk Steakhouse, DL1, 01325 344399
  • Tre Amici, Skinnergate, 01325 394222
  • Uno Momento, Blackwellgate
  • Viraj Restaurant, Kendrew Street
  • Voodoo Cafe, Skinnergate, 01325 467555

Look out for competitions and updates on social media and through #LoveDarlo.