THE first areas of Darlington to benefit from a £2.5m scheme to improve the town's streets have been revealed.

Last year, the borough council asked residents to pinpoint roads and pavements in the town which needed work as part of a project called Let's Get Cracking.

Problems in 1,428 locations were identified, including cracked pavements, uneven roads and areas that were prone to flooding.

Highways officials drew up a list of priority schemes - and work on the first phase will begin after Easter.

The first areas to be improved are: Baydale Road, Brinkburn Road, The Broadway, Burtree Lane, Carmel Road North, Cleveland Avenue, Cockerton Green, Coniscliffe Road, Geneva Road, Glebe Road, Harris Street, Hartford Road, Haughton Green, Haughton Road, Hundens Lane, Hurworth Road in Hurworth, Leyburn Road, Neasham Road, Newton Lane, North Road, Parkside, Pierremont Road, Ravensdale Road, Salutation Road, Thompson Street West, Whessoe Road, Willow Road, Woodland Road, Woodvale Road and Yarm Road.

Improvements will include resurfacing, replacing damaged kerbs, hardening of verges and improving drainage.

The £2.5m investment is over and above original plans to spend £2m on maintenance over the coming year.

Nick Wallis, of Darlington Borough Council, said: "With this extra spending, residents should notice a real difference."