AN appeal has been made to put a bit of colour back into an east Cleveland town.

Loftus Town Council has written to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council about the state of the High Street area around the war memorial and to ask that the council re-introduces its scheme of establishing flower beds around the area.

Councillor Gordon Davis, who requested the letter at a meeting of the town council on Monday, said the area used to be "an absolute picture of colour" because of the flower beds, plants and spring flowers which were planted by Redcar and Cleveland council.

However, the flowers were replaced with shrubs which, according to Coun Davis, look unkempt and the grass is overgrown. He also said the railings around the war memorial were rusting.

He said: "My view, and I was supported by all the councillors, was that we write to Redcar and Cleveland council to ask them to return the area to its former glory. It would put a bit of brightness into Loftus.

"It all comes back to the borough council, and in some cases it isn't their fault, but we do depend on them to keep their finger on the pulse. It will be down to money, but we will have to wait and see."

Councillor David Walsh, who represents Loftus on both the town and borough council, said: "Gordon has expressed his concern about the site and this is obviously a sensitive area, being so near to the cenotaph.

"I have taken the matter up with our ground maintenance section and hopefully come spring we will have something in place."