A debate is to take place to discuss the future of a problem beck that runs through the centre of a town.

The beck at Loftus is part of a network of east Cleveland streams that flow down to the sea at nearby Skinningrove. It runs through a culvert below the A174 at East Crescent, but surfaces to run alongside Dam Street in the town.

Last year, the street was flooded several times and suggestions have been made for the beck to be culverted.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is holding a public meeting where local people can discuss the idea.

Loftus councillors Eric Jackson and David Walsh are urging all residents to attend the meeting, but have pledged support to a campaign to keep the beck open.

Councillor Jackson, deputy mayor of the council, said: "As a local historian I am aware that this is a long-standing feature of Loftus's townscape. While I certainly want local people to have the final say, I do feel that culverting the beck may cause more potential problems."

Councillor Walsh, leader of the council, said: "I feel that the open beck running along Dam Street adds attraction to the local scenery. While it does overflow in heavy rain, this has happened for many years without causing any major problems. What problems we have had, have occurred due to culverts becoming blocked and I don't think we need any more, but the final decision must be with local people."

The meeting is in Loftus Town Hall, on Wednesday, at 6.15pm.