PLANS to demolish up to 2,000 homes in the centre of Middlesbrough were put to residents for the first time yesterday.

Middlesbrough Council is proposing to bulldoze between 1,500 and 2,000 terraced houses in an attempt to transform rundown areas.

The authority launched a consultation on the scheme yesterday in North Ormesby, when residents got to view six different options and fill in a four-page questionnaire asking for their views about the scheme.

Some told The Northern Echo that the proposals did not go far enough and should be extended to the south part of North Ormesby.

Gayle Bircham, of Livingstone Road, said: "This is going to split the community in two. Yet again, money is being spent in some areas and the rest is being forgotten about.

"Many people feel quite frustrated about it and we want to know what is happening in our part of North Ormesby."

Dennis Taylor, chairman of North Ormesby community council, said: "People should come and see the exhibition to express their views. It is no good coming once the work has started and saying, 'you don't like that and you don't like this'.

"Something needs to be done to improve the appearance of certain parts of the area and this gives you the chance to have your input.

"North Ormesby appears to be the least affected area but the bottom line is, if the council is going to demolish homes belonging to people who own them, how much money are the residents going to get to help pay for a new house?"

A council spokesman said: "So far, more than 50 people have been to the exhibition and seen the plans. They have been able to talk to the team behind the consultation process and hear for themselves what is happening next.

"It gives people the chance to see the full scale of what we are planning and how it could affect them."

Residents from Newport can view the plans today, between 3.30pm and 7.30pm, at Newport Primary School.

The results of the consultation are expected to be presented to the council in mid-July.