RESIDENTS from two east Cleveland towns have taken their concerns to their MP.

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, backed the causes yesterday by handing over two petitions on behalf of people from Brotton and Saltburn to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet chairman, Eric Empson, at Eston Town Hall.

Brotton residents are campaigning over the the town's library, which could be moved from its present home on High Street, while petitioners in Saltburn are concerned over access for the disabled.

Mr Kumar said: "I have been presented with a substantial petition by residents of Brotton who are concerned that the council may be seeking to re-locate the village's library. I can appreciate that this may mean more modern facilities, but the petitioners are concerned that such a move could also be detrimental in a number of ways."

The council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, believes the changes will improve the quality of service in what he claims is the borough's poorest-performing library.

He said: "Fears about loss of service are unfounded. We will be opening at least the same number of hours as now, perhaps even longer, as a result of the joint working arrangements."

The other petition is from Saltburn residents concerned about access for disabled people on pathways linking the town with the Lower Promenade and the beach.