THE fight to save Billingham Forum has been joined by a councillor from east Cleveland.

More than 4,000 people from across the North-East have signed petitions following anger at the proposed demolition of Billingham Forum, on Teesside.

The protest follows a meeting of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee in May, where councillors agreed in principle to the theatre's demolition and to replace it with a supermarket.

They also agreed to construct a replacement building at John Whitehead Park, which would include a swimming pool, ice-rink, library and health centre.

The application has been referred to the Government for a final decision, during which time the council will work with potential developers to try to save the theatre.

But now Councillor Mike Findley, older people's champion of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and a key player in the Cleveland Pensioners' Forum, has joined the fight to keep the forum open.

He said he had been contacted by elderly people from east Cleveland who use the theatre and would be sad to see it go.

He will be putting a motion before Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council today at their full council meeting asking the council to urge Stockton Borough Council to reconsider its decision to demolish the facilities.