PEOPLE are being sounded out on what they think about life in east Cleveland and what they want and expect from local services.

The ideas of 1,500 residents, aged 16 and over, across 22 wards are being canvassed in the biggest opinion poll of its kind launched in the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council area.

The questions cover quality of life, health, crime, employment, education and the environment.

The survey is being carried out by market research company Mori, which has been commissioned by the Redcar and Cleveland Partnership, an organisation made up of public, private and voluntary organisations.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale, the council's cabinet member for corporate resources, said: "This is the first time we have carried out a survey on this scale.

"In previous surveys, we have looked primarily at satisfaction levels and the development of a particular service.

"This time, it is much more about working in partnership and the desire to deliver what people want.

"The answers we get will help us shape the priorities of both ourselves and our partners."

Results will be processed in the New Year and published soon after.

* Each of the researchers, who will be carrying identity cards, is hoping to be given 20 minutes to go through the questionnaire, asking residents a range of questions.