LONG-held hopes for a major sports complex in East Cleveland have moved forward as plans were submitted for a £1m project at Skelton.

Plans are also being prepared for facilities at Saltburn that would incorporate a special running track for athletes, the first of its kind to be built north of London.

The Skelton application includes a sports building with floodlit pitches, bowling green, tennis courts, Trim tracks, skating and scope for a range of other activities.

Money is coming from the Single Regeneration Budget and a package is being prepared in a bid for sports lottery cash.

Redcar and Cleveland Council special projects officer Peter Jones said the sports arena on the nine or ten-acre site would fulfil almost every sporting need for what was certain to become a huge attraction.

The sports arena at Saltburn, with its 6-4-2 running track, together with the Skelton complex, would make the area one of the most sports-orientated in the region.

The biggest obstacle at Skelton was getting agreement from Skelton and Gilling Estates for a 21-year extension of the lease, without which no grant could be applied for.

The plans include picnic and play areas, and even a cardiac vascular health unit.

The running track at the multi-sports arena at Saltburn will be just 400m long, but the design of lanes would make it suitable for long, medium and sprint racing.

Mr Jones said it would be a training arena, particularly for track and field events, and a starting point for athletes heading for bigger things at Clareville and Gateshead.