Traders warned last night that they were struggling to survive the impact of the most dramatic alterations to Darlington town centre in more than a century.

The concerns emerged ahead of a town centre protest today, called to express opposition to council policies on pedestrianisation, planning and education.

The £6.5m town centre changes began last month with the introduction of new bus routes.

Council chiefs insist the scheme will be good for the town, helping to transform the centre into a vibrant heart for shoppers.

They say High Row needs to keep pace with developments in other parts of the town, including a £90m shopping and leisure complex on the other side of the centre.

However, some traders say the bus route changes have had a devastating effect on business and have called on the borough council to think again.

Last night, a major bus company said it would have to review its services because the upheaval had made some routes unviable.

Steve Noble, managing director of Arriva North-East, said: "We are experiencing unacceptable delays to services which, in turn, is having an adverse effect on the viability of the services concerned.

"If this continues for much longer we will have to consider what action we take to rebalance the books."

Mr Noble revealed that senior members of the company were meeting council officials on Tuesday to try to thrash out a solution.

He said: "Arriva is generally supportive of the council's aim to improve the town centre by means of pedestrianisation and we were consulted by the council over their proposals.

"However, we have always been opposed to the removal of buses from High Row as this was such a convenient location for our customers to get on and off buses when going shopping."

Robin Blair, who has a fruit and vegetable stall in the indoor market, said: "Some people are reporting as much as a 60 per cent loss. You can feel that there's no atmosphere."

Butcher David Jackson said: "In the first week, I had a 15 per cent reduction and it hasn't got much better since then."

On High Row, one business said it had recorded losses of up to £500 a week.

Amanda Smith, of Quickstitch dressmakers shop, said: "Our till receipts show we are losing between £300 and £500 a week compared to what we usually take."

But it was not all gloom. Sharon Hooton, of Past Times, said things were improving.

"In the first few weeks after the changes, we noticed some effects, and we did suffer a bit, but things have improved," she said.

Traders are today expected to join protestors at a rally organised by campaigners fighting to keep Hurworth School in its village location.

The Save Hurworth and Rural Education (Share) action group enlisted the support of residents who have objected to developments across the town in recent years.

Share's primary aim is to scupper plans for a £25m city academy to be built in Yarm Road, replacing Hurworth and Eastbourne schools.

Group spokesman Ian Holme said: "We're hoping it will be a big event, maybe then the council will listen."

A council spokesman said: "We know that while construction work is going on it'll be tough for businesses, but ourselves and the contractors are working to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.

"You also have to remember that, when it's finished, this is going to be very positive for the town.

"It's going to attract more people to the town and they'll stay longer and spend more money when they're here."

* The rally will take place in the town centre at 10am.