A park is to be created out of disused land, partly to help combat the problems being caused by young people in Thornaby.

Proposals to develop the land surrounding the South Thornaby Community Centre, by The Five Lamps Organisation, as a park for the community have been given backing by councillors.

The land is currently an open grassed area with some provision for sports, but is generally disused.

A spokesman for the Five Lamps Organisation said: "The site represents an underused opportunity for the development of an integrated community facility to meet the needs and desires of the local residents.

"It is the intention of The Five Lamps Organisation to increase the facilities on offer to the local community through the development of a secure community area and attractive parkland setting."

Although there is already a community centre at the site, amenities are sparse. There is a single set of goalposts, but no fences or other enclosures.

Proposals for development by the organisation include a community garden, children's play areas, bike track, adventure playground and improved footpath network.

These facilities would be locked at night.

However, the teenage village, which consists of a specialist seating area to provide an informal meeting place for the town's youths, will not be locked at night.

The organisation believes that, by keeping it open, it will help to reduce vandalism and other anti-social behaviour in the park and surrounding area.

All of the facilities have been developed following public consultation exercises and organisers hope that the plans will therefore prove popular with residents.

People living near the site had expressed concern about the use of perimeter fencing and floodlights, fearing the proximity to their houses.

However, a report to the council said that landscaping would be used to screen the park from neighbouring houses, to minimise the impact on residents.

The report said: "Low moulding has been used in conjunction with tree planting to partially screen the facilities and to discourage ball games where this may be a nuisance to residents.

"Planting will also be used to minimise the visual impact of the fencing.