PLANS are being made to restore an historic park that was once a jewel in the region's crown.

When it was founded by Sir Eustace Smith in 1921, Smith's Dock Park, in Normanby, Middlesbrough, was a prime recreational spot.

Covering a wide area of green space and boasting a bowling green and war memorial, it attracted not only workers from Smith's Dock and their families but also many visitors from the wider area.

In 1987, residents won an appeal to save the park from being sold to developers.

But recently, the memorial has fallen victim to vandals, who have erased the names of dead soldiers and scrawled graffiti all over it, and the park's overall state has also gone downhill.

Now, ward councillor Sam Tombe, an ex-servicemen and former Smith's Dock worker, has pledged to restore it to its former glory.

Councillor Tombe said: "For the past six years, I have been trying to do something about the park.

"Now the council is going to put a 6ft fence around the perimeter, which should stop motorcyclists from getting in.

"I'm sending out 240 letters to local residents, telling them about the fence and I'm looking at every possible avenue for funding to carry out more improvements."

Attempts to regenerate the park have been hindered because it is in divided ownership.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Whitbread breweries and a group of trustees all have a stake in it.

Coun Tombe said: "The trustees are responsible for the area of the war memorial and they don't have any money, so we are trying to get it transferred to the council.

"I am going to make certain that Normanby gets value for money for its council tax - and that includes the park's upkeep.