A 140-YEAR-OLD reminder of Teesside's maritime traditions and the risks faced by ships' crews has been uncovered.

The remains of an old wreck, believed to be from one of a number of vessels lost during a storm in February 1861, have been found to be holding up the roof and ceiling of a carpenter's workshop in Saltburn.

The 3in thick wooden joists have been identified by experts from Tees Archaeology as planking from a shop.

Originally a coachbuilder's premises, the workshop was built in 1861, shortly after a storm wrecked several sailing ships at Redcar.

Gary Green, of Tees Archaeology, said: "It is very likely that these particular timbers came from one of the vessels wrecked at Redcar.