A protest over the sale of a former North East hotel and pub passed off peacefully, police said.

A large number of people gathered at the former Magnet hotel in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, to show their opposition to the sale.

The assembly took place at 1pm this afternoon (Sunday, April 7) and police worked with the organisers to make sure it went smoothly.

The protest follows a planning application to transform the former hotel into a place of worship, which was submitted in March this year.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "A number of people took part in a small protest near to the Magnet public house in Birchington Avenue in Grangetown at around 1pm this afternoon.

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"This was a planned protest surrounding the sale of the pub and police have worked with the event organiser to provide a proportionate response.

"The event passed peacefully and without incident.

"We would like to thank the organisers for their cooperation and the local community for their patience."