Redcar MP Vera Baird has put forward an idea which could solve East Cleveland's on-going beach pollution row.

The long-running wrangle centres on concerns about sewage spillage and offensive odours on Marske beach, but Mrs Baird said she was reasonably optimistic about a solution being reached that would suit everyone.

Northumbrian Water is considering a scheme at present and has said it is aiming to deliver a response by early July. If it is positive, moves could be made to have one strategically-sited storage tank to serve both Marske and Redcar.

At a recent meeting Northumbrian Water officials met Mrs Baird and representatives from Redcar and Cleveland council and a campaign group to outline their plans.

Mrs Baird said it became clear that although Northumbrian Water had listened to public opinion and shifted from the idea of a tank on the Headlands, Redcar was also going to be affected sooner than anticipated.

"I am reasonably optimistic that we will come out with a solution acceptable to Northumbrian Water and to the people of Marske and Redcar," said Mrs Baird.

"It is a positive development."

Northumbrian Water spokesman Andrew Panting said: "What is being suggested goes against certain Government directives. But we have given an undertaking to look at what the MP has proposed and it is too early to say whether it will be feasible or not."