A MAYOR has praised the public for putting forward suggestions for a permanent memorial for one of the region's most-loved politicians.

A working party, headed by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's mayor, Councillor Peter Spencer, recently formed to find a permanent memorial to Mo Mowlam, the late Redcar MP.

Coun Spencer said there had been more than 30 suggestions after a public appeal, which will be considered by the working party next week.

He said: "I think it's a brilliant response and just goes to show how much the people thought of Mo that they are so interested in giving suggestions.

"We will now meet again to sift through them all to see what is manageable and what isn't.

"Part of our discussions will also be about how the public can fund a memorial through subscriptions."

The group, which includes former mayors Vilma Collins, Norah Cooney and Madge Moses, will meet outside the MP's former home, in Newcomen Terrace in the town, on Tuesday, to look at a possible site by the boating lake.

The group will also look at the memorial garden, in Coatham Road, opposite the town's war memorial.