WORK has started on a £50m transformation of a west Middlesbrough neighbourhood.

More than 450 homes will be built during the redevelopment of central Whinney Banks, which will be known as Acklam Green.

The first group of homes will be apartments, bungalows and houses for rent by older people, many of whom have lived in Whinney Banks for most of their lives.

The West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT) project includes Bellway Homes building 354 two, three and four-bedroomed homes for sale, and 100 social houses and apartments for rent through the Tees Valley Housing Group (TVHG).

Joan Ford, chairman of WMNT said: "The area will be totally transformed. Extensive consultation with local residents has taken place to get us to where we are today and our thanks go to residents for their patience and for working with us through what were sometimes difficult times.

"We are confident we can deliver a top-class development that will bring a new identity and character to this part of West Middlesbrough - one that we can all be proud of."

Hundreds of homes - many of them vacant and derelict - were demolished to make way for the development and remaining properties will be either refurbished or demolished.

As well as the new homes, there will be a community and health centre, including a GP surgery, a gateway building of apartments at the entrance to the estate, improved sporting facilities and the creation of a nature reserve.

A central, tree-lined boulevard will be a key feature of the development, running from the entrance to the development, off Acklam Road, through to a landscaped circular feature at the heart of the estate.

The youth and community centre on Harehills Road will be replaced with a health and community complex on the site of Whinney Banks School playing fields.

Barry Miller, managing director of Bellway Homes North East said: "The patience of the residents should now start to be rewarded, as their estate is transformed into an area which we hope they will be proud to call home.

"We will continue to work with our partners to realise everyone's aspirations for the area."