THE Salvation Army is leaving its home of 119 years - and it is all because of the neighbours.

The Citadel, in Northgate, Darlington, which opened in 1887, is up for sale.

The distinctive building has an Indian restaurant to one side, a Chinese to the other, and late-night takeaways line the street.

Now the Christian group wants to move back to a residential community.

Captain Marian Fripp said: "We got on very well with all our neighbours - but we want to move back among families.

"When we moved here, and for many years, Northgate was a community of rows and rows of houses and many local families attended the Army's varied programme.

"It is now an area of eating places and light industry, rather than family homes. Times change, and so does the Salvation Army.

"The For Sale sign doesn't mean a close-down - far from it. We are following God's leading into the future."

The Salvation Army will move into purpose-built premises once the Citadel is sold. The location is still to be confirmed.

"We have always been an evangelical church and that is what we will continue to be," said Captain Fripp.

"The decision to move has been taken over many years, but it is a positive step.

"It's sad to leave, but we are moving because we want to - not because we have to.

"The work will continue in the town exactly as it is now."

The Salvation Army's first base in Darlington was in North Road, where the BP petrol station now stands.

The present building is also used by Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, as well as other community groups.

A spokesman for estate agent Sanderson Weatherall, which is arranging the sale, said: "The building has been on the market for three weeks, and is available at £325,000.

"There have been nine viewings, and one firm offer, which was not accepted.

"It is currently listed as a place of worship, so developers will have to apply for planning permission if they wish to change the building's use."

The Salvation Army's social centre on Tom Raine Court, off Borough Road, will be unaffected.