ROCK superstar Sting has expressed his support for those battling development plans for a North-East beauty spot.

In an e-mail, Sting recollected memories of the Coatham Bowl, Redcar, to Chris McGlade, who is co-ordinating the Coatham Enclosure protest campaign.

He wrote: "I remember the area as beautiful and relatively unspoiled. I respect and understand the commitment and passion of your objections.

"While the development of local amenities and services is clearly important, such development must take into full consideration the rights and opinions of all local people.

"Yes, we need to develop local economies but not at the expense of our natural environment."

The fight to save the enclosure has also been backed by blues guitarist Walter Trout, who wore a Save Coatham Enclosure T-shirt while performing at Middlesbrough Town Hall, on Wednesday.

If approved, the scheme would see house builder Persimmon pay Redcar and Cleveland Council £5.6m for the land, with the council hoping to secure about £14m from other sources to finance leisure facilities, including a swimming pool and a visitor centre.

Mr McGlade said: "I thrilled to bits to get this sort of support for our campaign. We intend to fight this scheme all the way."

A public meeting is set to be held at the Coatham Bowl on Tuesday at 7.30pm, and campaigners are distributing leaflets in the town.