AN EAST Cleveland village church festival is going ahead despite a plethora of problems that have plagued preparations.

St Helen's festival day, which takes place today, is celebrated annually by the people of Carlin How, as the village church is named after the saint.

The church's spire is in need of replacement but church warden Seth Ridley said he is having difficulties in encouraging East Cleveland businesses to contribute to the £7,000 cost.

The local community has raised just over £1,000, with local business Cats at the nearby Skinningrove works being one of the few to help to fill the empty purse.

A row has also erupted with the local council over ownership of a strip of land near the church that is not being maintained.

East Cleveland councillors Steve Kay and Bruce Mackenzie came to the rescue by taking it upon themselves to clear some of the problem areas themselves.

But Redcar and Cleveland Council said it could only maintain the areas it had responsibility for and no more because of budget restrictions.