A multi-purpose town centre ranger will be employed in a three-month trial scheme starting in Darlington next month.

Darlington Town Centre Management hopes to make the scheme a permanent feature, with the ranger taking on the role of a janitor and information officer. As well as duties including litter-picking, street cleaning and graffiti removal, which will be carried out in the mornings, the ranger will act as an ambassador for Darlington in the afternoons.

He will assist shoppers and visitors with information on the location of shops, cafes and restaurants, car parking and leisure and tourism, and will distribute leaflets, including guides to the town.

The ranger, who will be in constant contact with town centre manager Louise Payne, will have a basic knowledge of the town centre, including the history of major landmarks.

He will wear a uniform, bearing the town centre and Darlington Where Quality Comes To Life logos.

It is hoped the business community will provide future financial support for the project if the trial period proves successful.