A COMMUNITY united to celebrate the opening of a £500,000 footbridge on Tuesday.

East Cleveland's mayor and mayoress Eric Jackson and Brenda Forster teamed up with Coun Garth Houchen to officially open the bridge in Marske.

The New Blacks Footbridge near the expanding Mickledales estate runs parallel to the existing road bridge which was considered a safety hazard.

Campaigners have argued the old bridge was too narrow for cars, cyclists and pedestrians, including children attending nearby schools in the area.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Direct Labour Organisation won the contract to build the bridge. Money for the project came from a Government fund designed to complete the National Cycle Route.

Local schoolchildren, MP Vera Baird and other prominent members of the community congregated for the official opening.