projects facing uncertainty following the collapse of South Bank Community Forum have been saved.

After the forum folded in January due to financial problems, the future of its Government-funded projects looked bleak.

Regeneration bosses from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and regional development agency One NorthEast held meetings to discuss what could be saved.

Now, thanks to the council's intervention, three schemes can continue.

One NorthEast has approved its proposals to retain community newspaper The Way Ahead, a transport scheme for community groups and the Skills for Success computer training programme.

Council chief executive Colin Moore said: "The failure of the forum was a disaster for the area, but we have been determined to make sure that the regeneration of South Bank is given all the support we can provide."

Between them, the projects have been awarded more than £100,000 through the Government's Single Regeneration Budget. Council staff have been seconded to them for a year, during which they will look at funding strategies.

While it is not yet clear what will replace the forum, Martin Jefferson, who manages the area's regeneration funding, welcomed the continuation of its work.

"At the moment, we are looking into potential models of successors for the community forum," he said yesterday.

"Its mistakes won't be repeated."