A INQUIRY has been launched into the management of a town's regeneration programme.

South Bank Community Forum, a partnership team handling Single Regeneration Budget cash and plans for the renaissance of the town, on the edge of Middlesbrough, has launched an internal inquiry.

While details remain sketchy on the scale of the review, a spokesman for the forum said: "An internal investigation is in progress at the moment into how funding packages have been managed. All programmes involving the forum are continuing to operate as normal."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said last night it was intervening to ensure that all of the forum's programmes continued to operate.

The council refused to confirm that its executive, which is made up of senior members, was now involved in supervising the forum.

But ward councillor Ian Jeffrey said: "I gather that there are some management difficulties, and the local authority has been called in to give support. We are very keen to get whatever is wrong sorted out."

Councillor Jeffrey said he planned to meet council colleagues next week to discuss the situation.

Millions has been poured into the once crime-plagued community to try to reverse its fortunes, and encourage businesses to invest in the area and create jobs.

At the dedication of South Bank's Millennium Green last year, Coun Jeffrey said: "I think the money coming into South Bank, to improve the environment, and on other projects, is nothing less than the people of South Bank deserve."