A Redcar butcher forced to leave his premises to make way for a multi-million pound shopping development is battling to keep his business alive.

David Fawcett used to operate from a prime spot opposite Marks and Spencer in the town's High Street.

But when work began on the £26m Regent Walk shopping development, Mr Fawcett gave up his shop with no suitable empty premises for him to relocate to.

Last month, he even asked Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council for permission to have a refrigerated caravan on the High Street to sell his meat from.

But the council's licensing committee said the vehicle was too big for the pedestrianised section and turned down his application.

However, the council offered to help Mr Fawcett and his three staff out of their predicament - but Mr Fawcett claims he has not heard anything.

"I would have hoped to have heard something by now. We are just trying to keep the staff going and hope something is going to keep them but you can't carry on just hoping forever.

"Things have picked up a bit since the foot-and-mouth crisis calmed down and we have just spread the Redcar staff between the markets and the other shops, but they are all from east Cleveland so there is more travelling for them."

Mike Douglas, environmental protection and licensing manager with the council, said it had not forgotten about Mr Fawcett and he has asked for help from colleagues in the planning department to find him a suitable and safe venue.

He added he was hoping to report back to the licensing committee at its next meeting on December 7, or in the New Year.