PARTS of east Cleveland were put on the Environment Agency's Floodwatch scheme for the first time during bad weather earlier this week.

Skinningrove, which flooded three times last year, and Saltburn beck now come under the care of the agency, thanks to a joint campaign by villagers and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Last month, a group of representatives took their case to Environment Minister Elliott Morley and asked for the beck to be recognised as a main river, so that it would be looked after by the agency when it comes to the possibility of flooding.

Councillor Dave McLuckie, the lead member for community safety with the borough council, said that it was the first positive outcome of the meeting