COMMUNITY leaders are set to reveal a four-pronged approach to tackling anti-social behaviour in Darlington.

Fresh plans have been drawn up to deal with key issues such as crime, drugs and alcohol misuse.

Darlington Partnership - made up of council chiefs, as well as representatives of private, voluntary and community groups - meets next week to discuss the plan of action.

Four blueprints have been produced to tackle each of the town's social issues.

The first is a neighbourhood renewal plan, to help reduce deprivation in eleven of Darlington's most disadvantaged wards.

The town's priority wards have been identified as Park East, Central, Cockerton East and West, Eastbourne, Haughton East, Lascelles, Bank Top, Lingfield, North Road and Northgate.

The neighbourhood improvement scheme will aim to combat litter problems, improve health, increase leisure provision and provide more bus services.

A social inclusion plan will help people who face discrimination, particularly pensioners over 85, disabled people and ethnic minority groups.

Various groups have been consulted on the strategy, including Darlington Association on Disability, Darlington and County Durham Racial Equality Council, the primary care trust and Gay Advice Darlington.

The plan to tackle alcohol abuse will see the partnership working to promote responsible drinking.

The final plan to deal with crime, disorder and substance misuse will particularly focus on anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime, theft, drug abuse, violent crime and domestic violence.

Community leaders have hailed the proposals as a big step forward in improving the town.

Borough council leader John Williams said: "It is important that everyone in Darlington works together to benefit the community.

"The four plans will deliver improvements in areas which local people have told us are important to them.

"The plans cover many social issues and by tackling these, the partnership hopes to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to the town."

The partnership meets on Wednesday, in the Dolphin Centre, to finalise the four action plans.