RESIDENTS of a Middlesbrough suburb have expressed their gratitude to a homeowner who pulled out of a deal to sell his house for £225,000 after fears it would be turned into a children's home.

Andy Thompson was ready to exchange contracts with Five Rivers Projects, a national childcare organisation, but told 270 residents at a meeting at Lingfield School, in Marton, that the deal was off.

The residents had signed a petition and planned to remove their children from the school in protest.

Many feared such a home would adversely affect children at the school and might upset elderly residents on the McKinnes estate.

Dawn Gotheridge, 38, of Nesham Avenue, said: "This man deserves a medal for what he has done because it has taken a lot of guts.

"He has done more for the children of the school than Middlesbrough Council and I would like to say a very big thank-you to him."

Mr Thompson said: "It has got nothing to do with the money, although I did have that carrot dangled in front of me.

"It is more to do with ethics and family values, and that is how I was brought up. It has been a very difficult time for me because I am also thinking about those kids who cannot move in here now."

A spokesman for Five Rivers Project said they were now looking for other properties in Middlesbrough.