A PLAN is being considered for a "Da Vinci Code" town trail in Darlington.

The trail, which would lead visitors round the town using a system of clues and riddles similar to those in the best-selling novel, is one of a raft of ideas to promote the town.

Other ideas include a tribute to railway pioneer George Stephenson, a website with links to the town's attractions and promoting use of the tourist information centre.

Councillors have also called for Darlington to have better representation on adverts for the region put out by the regional development agency OneNorthEast. The trail would lead tourists round the town's landmarks.

Claire Boston-Smithson, the council's tourism and heritage officer, said rather than studs in the ground or a map trail, they were considering something different to other towns. She told members of the environment scrutiny committee: "We were thinking along the lines of the Da Vinci Code. We could do it in bespoke areas.

"What we did decide we had to do is get a consultant in to do the research.

"It's a big task and it's something more quirky.

"It's something we're looking at and it's bubbling away."

Ms Boston-Smithson said the council had also been chosen as a pilot authority to have its website in a destination management system.

This would allow visitors to the website to book hotels, restaurants and taxis from the same site.

She added that the Tourism Review Group was also looking at ways a memorial, possibly a statue of George Stephenson, could be incorporated into the town's Pedestrian Heart scheme.

Some councillors were concerned the town had not featured in any of the 'Passionate People - Passionate Places' adverts for the region.

Councillor Heather Scott said: "It's a shame that we couldn't have something about the railway museum within that general advert."

Ms Boston-Smithson said she was aware the town had not been in the advert.

She added: "They're going with strong iconic images.

"At the minute, we only get four per cent of the short breaks in the North-East.

"There will be more adverts. That's when we start banging on the table."