A conservation group which supported the £1.8m restoration of Saltburn Pier is to hold its annual meeting in the town.

The National Piers Society, founded in 1979 by then poet laureate Sir John Betjeman, played a crucial role in helping the East Cleveland pier to attract Lottery funding towards the project.

The meeting, to be held in Saltburn's new seafront building, was announced by Friends of Saltburn Pier chairman Norman Bainbridge.

He said: "The National Pier Society was one of the organisations to which I appealed in 1999 for help in restoring Saltburn Pier.

"One of our committee members, Tony Lynn, attended last year's National Pier Society AGM at Greenwich and maintained contact. Now, we are very pleased the society has decided to hold its AGM here."

A touring exhibition of panoramic views of all 55 piers in England and Wales visits Saltburn in June and July. The images will be attached to the pier in special frames.

A meeting has also been held with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council over further improvements to the pier. Ideas include decorative lighting and extra seats.