CAMPAIGNERS are calling for an officially designated green belt for Tees Valley as part of the North-East Assembly's forthcoming regional spatial strategy.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England says the area's "green wedge" policy is not working and could lead to towns and villages merging and losing their identities.

A report issued by the CPRE said green belts were under more pressure now than they had been since they were created 50 years ago.

Chief executive Shaun Spiers said: "Ministers have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to green belts, so the Government should be their staunchest, most reliable ally. Yet a pattern is emerging of sustained attacks on green belts across the country. And the biggest source of this pressure is Government policy.

"A major onslaught is under way, and many local councils - the first line of defence against green belt incursion - are meekly following the Government's lead."

He added: "We should be celebrating this 50th anniversary by creating new areas of green belt, rather than threatening existing ones."

The report includes the Tees Valley as one of the areas that the CPRE believes should have green belt protection.

Nick Best, the organisation's regional policy officer, said: "We strongly believe that the green wedge policy is not working in this area.

"In the centre of Teesside, you've got large areas of industrial wasteland. Green belt actually helps urban regeneration and helps towns stay distinctive."

He added: "At the moment, the regional spatial strategy says green wedge is working, but we will be submitting a report to the regional assembly that refutes those claims before the consultation period ends in July."

* The CPRE report says 117 hectares of green belt around York will be lost if the university is allowed to extend its campus by building a large business park, new roads and parking for 1,500 cars.

The city council is in favour of the plan but the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humberside has yet to decide whether to intervene