REDCAR and Cleveland Council is being asked to find a possible £50,000 for vital work to Saltburn Pier.

In a report to the council's Policy and Resources Committee, Dr Joan Rees, the council's Director of Economy and the Environment, says the money is needed to secure the future of the pier.

She is asking the council to meet a maximum shortfall of £50,000 following contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and the Friends of Saltburn Pier.

The pier is currently undergoing a £1m restoration project as part of a package of schemes aimed at promoting Saltburn as a tourist destination and ensuring the structure of the pier is made safe.

Recent storm tides have shown there are serious structural defects to the legs of the pier head.

Council officials hope to build a new pier head using cast iron columns concreted into steel piles with a new timber deck support structure.

The council Policy and Resources Committee is due to discuss the matter at a meeting today.