ONE of Darlington's main petrol stations is up for sale, amid speculations the site may be redeveloped to make way for housing.

Esso has confirmed it is in talks to sell the Kirklee service station, in front of Sainsbury's supermarket, in Victoria Road.

The site has been on the market since March and talks are being held with a potential buyer.

A company spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately, Kirklee is one which is no longer a profitable site for us and not, in the long term, viable."

She declined to comment on rumours that a developer is interested in building flats on the site.

The town has lost several petrol stations recently, including ones in Cockerton, Yarm Road and North Road.