A NEW multi-storey car park is being planned to relieve some of the car parking misery in a North-East town.

The Cornmill Shopping Centre's new owner, the Rachel Charitable Trust, is hoping to put together a proposal to create an extra 150 places at the busy 250-space car park in Crown Street, Darlington, next year.

Under the plans, a new level would be placed above the present car park, which was part of the shopping centre package the trust bought in April.

Further development of the plan could include a walkway from the first floor parking, across Crown Street, to the centre.

Contracts have been exchanged for the purchase of the redundant former First Freeze building, which lies between the two sites.