PLANS to extend an East Cleveland farm have been given the go-ahead by councillors for compassionate reasons.

Polio victim John King applied to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council for permission to extend his home at Hobdale House, Skelton Green, so his son and daughter-in-law could stay with him.

The young couple could help him and his wife, who are both in their early 60s, look after the family's prized flock of Texel sheep, which require constant attention.

The National Farmers' Union backed Mr King's application, as did the parish council and the health centre in Skelton.

However, officials recommended that the council's planning committee turn down the application because it was similar to a scheme that was refused in June.

At a meeting of the planning committee last week, planning officer Doreen Mealing said: "We are very sympathetic to the personal needs, but personal circumstances are not enough to justify approval."

But Coun Dave McLuckie proposed that the application should be accepted and he was backed by Coun Peter Spencer, who said: "If we can't get people living and working there the farm will die, and we have to give help to the farming community."

Coun Garth Houchen said: "We must bring compassion into play."