Middlesbrough's new mayor Ray Mallon has welcomed the launch of the Community Strategy as an historic moment.

The Community Strategy has been drawn up by the Middlesbrough Partnership, a cross-town collaboration of police, health trust, university, schools and voluntary groups.

Mayor Ray Mallon, who took part in the launch event at Berwick Hills, says it marks the first time that the public, private, voluntary and community sectors have united behind a single plan to improve the quality of life for Middlesbrough people.

The plan focusses on several key areas, including community safety, job creation and health care.

It is the product of nearly two years' work and thousands of individual interviews with local people.

The launch was also welcomed by community leader Jeanette Walker, who says it shows how Middlesbrough's organisations are pulling in the same direction.