A LEADING figure on a Teesside council is calling on the community to spearhead a £400,000 bid for a new sports ground.

Councillor Alex Cunningham believes that is the only way to gain the funds to redevelop the Harold Wilson Ground, in Thornaby, near Stockton.

But other community figures in Thornaby have already claimed they were wrongly advised by Stockton Borough Council about previous bids for money.

Members of the Thornaby Regeneration Partnership previously formed a steering group committee to find money to build six changing rooms, toilets and shower facilities at the Harold Wilson Ground.

As reported in The Northern Echo, they thought an official bid for money to the FA's Football Foundation had already been made by Stockton Borough Council.

The council made an outline bid with the North Riding FA for money in March last year but they never made a full bid to FA managers in London.

Councillor Ian Dalgarno, a member of the Thornaby Independent Group, has called for an inquiry into the issue. He is due to meet chief executive George Garlick on Friday to discuss the matter.

Coun Cunningham said that footballers have already enjoyed £200,000-worth of pitch improvements at the ground last year.

Now he wants residents, community and sports groups, ward councillors and council officers to work together to bid for additional resources to complete the scheme.

"There is no doubt that strong community partnerships between local groups and individuals are crucial in order to raise funds and secure valuable grants," Coun Cunningham said.

"The Harold Wilson site is no exception.

"Another scheme near Ingleby Barwick, the Tibs project, won Football Foundation funding because it was able to attract match funding from Thornaby Town Council and Ingleby Barwick Parish Council and raise funds through the football club.

"So I have asked council officers to call a meeting of community groups and representatives to create the necessary wide partnership we need to achieve similar success at the Harold Wilson Recreation Ground.

"The hard work of council officers to secure external funding for communities will continue and I look forward to helping establish the community partnership."