MIDDLESBROUGH residents are being asked for their views on plans to make the town a greener, healthier place.

The town's council has just launched its Green Spaces Strategy, spelling out how it hopes to improve the quality of parks, recreation grounds and open spaces across the town.

It will be asking community councils, environmental groups and residents' associations for their views.

There are 12.4 million square metres of green space in Middlesbrough, the equivalent of a full-sized football pitch for every resident.

They include Albert, Stewart and Pallister parks, Hemlington recreation area, smaller neighbourhood parks, beck valleys, the River Tees walkway, the area around historic Acklam Hall and the new civic square in the town centre.

Councillor Bob Kerr said: "In coming months, we'll be taking that debate out to community councils, residents and environmental groups, asking them for opinions and answers.

"Like the council, they value the environment and want to see the town doing well and looking its best."

The strategy includes sections on managing parks, building on the Green Flag awards gained by Albert, Stewart and Pallister parks, events in parks and open spaces, allotments, tree planting and conservation.

It also suggests that underused areas of open space should be looked at to see how they could become more popular.

Paul Rabbitts, the council's policy and development manager for countryside, parks and open spaces, said: "People expect that the town's natural assets to be managed just as carefully as our financial ones.

"The strategy is about trying to ensure that open spaces are accessible to everyone, are safe and attractive and play a part in a healthier, greener Middlesbrough."