AN environmental pressure group is calling on the public to join its crusade to save green areas in an unprotected part of the region.

English Environment believes areas of Teesside should be designated as green belt areas to prevent major developments in the countryside.

Although some places are designated as green wedge, nature reserve and special landscape areas, Bryan Moore of English Environment said these could be altered easily, to accommodate developers.

Mr Moore said: "Teesside is an environmental disaster area and our wildlife and heritage is been destroyed faster than the rain forest of Brazil.

"It is up to the public to protest and take action before we are left with nothing."

English Environment is also opposing plans to build 120 houses near the Three Holmes Winter Wildfowl Wetlands site, in Stockton.

Mr Moore said: "Ninety four per cent of our wetlands have vanished in Teesside and we must preserve the Three Holmes Winter Wildfowl Wetlands site as a natural, unaltered nature reserve as well as other sites in the area.

"If we are to attract people to this area, and their investments, then the correct balance has to be made between the countryside and the town."

The group wants a public consultation, to ensure green belt is included in the Tees Valley Structure Plan, which will designate areas for development in the next 16 years.