CAMPAIGNERS have started marshalling support to save a well-known Darlington pub.

At a packed public meeting on Wednesday night, residents in the Harrowgate Hill area made clear their opposition to plans to demolish the White Horse Hotel and build 64 apartments in its place.

Well over 100 people crowded into the village hall for the meeting called by Whessoe Parish Council to discuss proposals by Premier Homes UK.

There were not enough council comment forms to go round and more will have to be delivered to homes.

Council vice-chairman Malcolm Guy said: "It was a wonderful turnout."

Michael Cartwright has been nominated to represent the community when the scheme comes before Darlington planning councillors - possibly on May 11.

Coun Gareth Evans, who chaired the meeting - the first of its kind staged by the parish council - said: "We want to co-ordinate objections.

"We will be discussing the issue, but we were anxious to gauge public feeling first."

Mr Cartwright said: "The White Horse has been a landmark for a long time. Why does it have to be knocked down?"

Coun Guy said there has been a pub on the site since 1858.

Residents' objections included the development being too high; likely to create too much traffic and congestion; and loss of an amenity.

"Road safety is atrocious now and could only get worse if these apartments were built," said one resident.

A number of people talked of meetings with the hotel's owner, Jay Patel from Leeds.

"We have been told there would be no development," said a resident. "We have been led up the garden path."

Later, Coun Guy said the council would seek advice from Planning Aid for the North and Darlington Civic Trust.

"I would like to see the White Horse saved and this was a good start," he said. "Certainly there is strong public feeling about this."

White Horse management says the hotel is operating as normal and that improvement work has been going on.