ENGINEERS are considering revisiting a 1960s building ploy which caused an enormous storm of controversy over its effect on the skyline.

Architects and builders looked at the time to satisfy people's desire to live close to the centre of towns and cities by building high-rise apartment blocks.

Owing to the outcry about the visual and social effects of the buildings, planners moved away from building flats.

Now the debate is set to re-open as part of a presentation evening organised by consulting engineers Arup.

Engineering Residential Tall Buildings will be the topic of conversation at the event to be held tomorrow from 6pm to 8.30pm at Central Square in Newcastle.

Topics covered will include safety, economics and build-ability as well as issues surrounding acoustics and vibration. To attend, call Amanda Snell at Arup on 0191 2616080