A PLAN to create a riverside resort on Teesside could move a step closer today.

Stockton Borough Council is poised to approve the joint funding of a study of the Tees Corridor to help British Waterways with plans to redevelop the river bank in Stockton.

The company hopes to make the River Tees the focal point of Stockton with recreation and business developments along its bank.

It hopes to encourage people to use the water, which it says is up to European bathing standards, and enjoy wildlife in the area.

Stockton council would put up £12,500 to help the company examine the potential of the area and reconcile its plans with the wildlife in the area.

A council spokesman said: "The Tees is under-used and past developments have not fully realised its potential as a resource in its own right.

"In particular, use of the water itself at Teesdale is not optimised.

"It is imperative that the people of Stockton gain the full benefits from the river, in terms of access, recreation, amenity, environment, health or jobs."

The Tees Corridor study, which will take six months to complete, will cost about £50,000, and will be jointly funded by the council, British Waterways, English Partnership and One North East.