THE people of Loftus have delivered a clear message over the future of a picturesque stream which runs through the town.

Residents who packed into a special town debate delivered a resounding "no" to the idea of culverting to head off flooding problems - and made it clear they would rather keep the feature and risk flooding.

But Redcar and Cleveland council was also told it must do better on maintaining drains and existing culverts.

Householders feel much more can be done to avoid chronic flooding which devastated homes in the Dam Street area last November.

Loftus ward Couns Eric Jackson and David Walsh called Wednesday's meeting to thrash out a solution.

The beck runs through a culvert below the A174 at East Crescent but surfaces to run alongside Dam Street.

In November, the stream turned into a torrent.

Coun Jackson said: "I feel culverting could cause more problems than exist now."

Coun Walsh also wants to keep the beck as an open stream.

To cheers, he said: "The beck is unique. While it does overflow in heavy rain, this has happened for years without major problems. Difficulties occurred due to existing culverts becoming blocked."

After last year's flooding, the council commissioned a report which suggested a culvert, although a feasibility study would be needed.

Residents repeatedly claimed drainage chambers and existing culverts had not been cleaned out enough, causing blockages.

Coun Sylvia Szintai, who chaired the meeting, said a study would cost £25,000.

East Crescent resident Mr Mike Pratt said: "The people here have sense enough to see it's not going to work.

"A culvert would only create problems elsewhere. I don't need a study to tell me that and neither do other people."

A long-term Loftus resident said he had suffered very little inconvenience over the years.

"Flooding has happened once in 50 years," he said. "To culvert the beck would take away a much-loved amenity.

"Rather than spend £25,000 on a study, spend money on better maintenance."

A Dam Street resident for 40 years said the flooding was a freak of nature. To loud applause he said: "Better maintenance is what is needed."

Ward Coun Dave Fitzpatrick said: "Those who feel their homes are at particular risk should identify themselves and instead of spending £25,000 on a study, spend it on protecting these properties."