A stop-over camp for travellers could be opened on the edge of a seaside resort.

Gipsies camp illegally already in Meggits Lane, Dormanstown, Redcar, east Cleveland. The site could now be adopted by Redcar and Cleveland Council as an official transit and stopping place.

The council is to begin consultation on a strategy plan, in accordance with Government guidance. Meggits Lane is the favourite from seven possible sites as a transit camping site.

Council officials say it is a brownfield site, with no existing or possible commitment to a future land use, while it has a relatively low development cost, good site access and good access to services.

Meanwhile, work goes on to repair and revamp the council's 16-pitch residential site for travellers at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, where there are toilets, bath and kitchen facilities.

Councillor Chris Abbott, the council's cabinet member for housing and neighbourhood renewal, said: "We are doing all we can to open the site at South Bank as quickly as possible, but a lot of work has been necessary.

"We believe the brownfield site at Meggits Lane is the best option for a transit site, which also needs to be provided within the borough. It would be screened with trees and is a semi rural area in close proximity to shops, schools and health facilities."

There is a 12-week consultation period. Work is not due to begin before spring.