PLANS to extend the University of Teesside by creating a campus in Hartlepool have moved a step closer after local councillors agreed to free up land.

The Hartlepool councillors accepted a proposal to use the Albert Street car park, off Stockton Street, for the development.

A joint venture between the university and Hartlepool College of Further Education, the campus will provide part-time foundation degrees and other educational opportunities.

College managers have led the project, which will also result in the creation of a vocational academy for 14-to-19 year-olds near their current town centre site.

The college has secured £1.5m for the project, which would become the first university campus in the town.

A meeting of the council's cabinet agreed to dispose of the car park, subject to planning consent.

However, a council report warned that the loss of the public parking would have to be compensated for elsewhere in the town.