Hartlepool'S directly elected mayor is doing his best to keep his election promise that he would act to save sports facilities from closure.

Stuart Drummond has stepped in to help give the Friarage Sports Hall, at the Headland, a year-long stay of execution.

Earlier this year, Hartlepool Borough Council said the hall could close as early as September due to financial pressures unless a new operator could be found.

Closing the facility would save tax-payers £33,000 a year but in recent weeks the council has helped residents form a steering group to look at ways of keeping the popular hall open.

Mr Drummond, who in his election manifesto pledged to improve the town's sports facilities, said: "I have now had the opportunity to look at the council's budget in more detail and the money will be found to fund the Friarage Sports Hall for the whole of the current financial year.

"The council has an annual revenue budget of £105m and there are two or three areas where savings can definitely be made.

"Hopefully, this will give everyone more time to look at the longer-term future of the sports hall. There is now some breathing space to see if it is possible to secure either funding for future years or to look into alternative provision.

"This week, I went over to the Headland to speak to some young people and I was left in no doubt that the sports hall is valued immensely by the Hartlepool community."