ORGANISERS of a mass campaign against a North-East council have vowed to be back "bigger, stronger and louder" after a town centre protest.

More than 300 people turned out for the rally on Saturday to support a range of pressure groups opposed to Darlington Borough Council's policies on pedestrianisation, planning and education.

But council leader Councillor John Williams attacked Saturday's event as nothing more than a desperate attempt to increase numbers.

The protest was organised by the Save Hurworth and Rural Education (Share) action group, which is fighting proposals to close Hurworth and Eastbourne comprehensive schools, bringing them together in a £25m privately-sponsored academy.

Share invited other campaign groups to join the rally.

Share chairwoman Jill Russell said: "The aim of the protest was to bring the groups together, as together we are a stronger force.

"We are all against the same thing and that's the council.

"This is just the start of things. We are planning more protests and we will be back bigger, stronger and louder."

Coun Williams dismissed the demonstration as a stunt and said most residents were behind the plans for an education academy.

He said: "We always listen and have listened. The only reason Share invited these other groups along to hold a protest against the council is to increase their numbers.

"It is simply that they realised they did not have enough people to put on the protest themselves.

"Regarding the Share issue, I think the vast majority of people in Darlington will be amazed that parents can get together to protest against a council which is expressing an interest in receiving £25m in funding for a brand new secondary school with state-of-the-art facilities."

Share is already organising two more protests. The first will be held at the town hall on October 31. The second is being staged with the support of the National Union of Teachers, on a date to be arranged.