RESIDENTS in an unemployment blackspot have submitted an 800-signature petition to the House of Commons in support of plans to expand Teesport.

Redcar MP Vera Baird last night petitioned the House of Commons to support Teesport's hopes of building a £300m deep sea container terminal which will bring up to 7,000 jobs to the North-East.

She handed in a petition from the Redcar Business Association and the Redcar Road West Action Group in South Bank, with 800 signatures in support of the plans.

Ms Baird said: "This is a fantastic demonstration of support for this project from every corner of my constituency and from all walks of life.

"I have no doubt that if Teesport's management and I had not decided to call time on them to get the petition in before Christmas, there would have been thousands more signatures.

"Both groups have lived with downturns in the area and are now seeing real progress, but both appreciate that the jobs that this project would bring are much-needed and will be very sought after."

"The expansion of Teesport is not just in the interests of Teesside, it is best for Britain as a whole. Fewer lorries travelling from the South to bring goods for the North will mean there is less pollution emitted and reduced congestion.

"That is why I am so confident that the House of Commons should look favourably on the plans for PD Ports."

Teesport owners PD Ports wants the Government to halt further expansion on southern ports to allow the Tees to grab a larger slice of the ports market, and expand to bring in container ships direct from the Far East. This would attract investment and bring further jobs to the region, as well as cutting down on congestion in the overcrowded South-East.

Plans to expand South-East ports such as Felixstowe and Harwich have met with fierce opposition from nearby residents, which is why the Redcar residents' support is so unusual.

Martyn Pellew, group development director at Middlesbrough-based PD Ports, said: "The full support of the local community for the expansion of Teesport is very important."

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo exclusively revealed Teesport's plans to expand, and has been backing the project ever since through its Support Our Port campaign.