ATTEMPTS are being made to encourage people to have a direct say in the rebuilding of their neighbourhood.

Residents have been selected to represent Newport, West Lane and Whinney Banks in Middlesbrough, planning a multi-million pound regeneration of the areas

People were invited to vote for residents to represent them on the West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust Board.

No vote took place in Newport as only three candidates put their names forward for election, while four people nominated themselves for election in West Lane, and five people stood for the seats in Whinney Banks. However, organisers are putting a brave face on the poor showing, saying it is only early days.

Jackie Heeney, programme director for West Middlesbrough New Deal, said: "We would like more people to put themselves forward for election to the trust board in the future, but we have, generally made a good start.

"It is important to recognise that it's early days and we are making every effort to get more people involved in the process.

"We have now employed a community involvement manager to create more opportunities for people to influence all the developments taking place and how the money is spent.''

The trust has applied to be registered as a company limited by guarantee.

Following that, members of Middlesbrough Borough Council and delegates from the West Middlesbrough Business Forum will join the board. Members will then be able to appoint up to five others to join them.

Andy Snowden, chairman of an interim board overseeing plans for the area's regeneration, said: "We are hoping the trust will be registered as a company limited by guarantee in the next couple of months."