Visitors to Darlington will soon be able to pay for their parking through their phones or contactless cards.

The council has announced that mobile payments will be available by July 22.

There will still be the option to pay with cash at all machines.

Work is ongoing to upgrade all the council street parking machines in town to accept contactless payments by the end of the year.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson said: "From Monday (22 July), you will be able to pay for on street parking in Darlington by phone as well as cash.

"Pay by phone has been available in our outdoor car parks for some time but is now being extended to all on street pay and display machines.

"You can still choose to pay with cash.

"We are also in the process of upgrading all our on street parking machines to accept contactless payments - this should be completed before the end of the year.

"When this work is finished, you will be able to use cash, debit/credit card or pay by phone for all on street parking."