REDCAR MP Vera Baird has urged campaigners against the Coatham housing development to stop their protests.

The Labour MP said she believed it was only a minority of people who were against Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's plans to site new leisure facilities on the seafront, along with 350 homes.

She spoke out after the Friends of Coatham Common said they would continue the fight to have the area designated as a village green.

They are in favour of new leisure facilities, but said the seafront should remain for the community.

A High Court judge has dismissed their request to have the matter heard at a judicial review.

However, Charlie Davis, from the group, said members felt confident they would win and were now seeking an oral hearing before a judge to press on for a judicial hearing.

But Mrs Baird said: "This judge, and others before him, have now plainly demonstrated that the courts will not be used to allow a minority to obstruct a lawful development.

"It is time the few protesters who are left pursuing these thankless avenues considered the public interest and joined in the effort of improving this scheme, not blocking it."

Mr Davis said he believed the campaigners were in the majority and reiterated his plea for the council to put the issue to a referendum.

He said: "We are using the legal system. She (Ms Baird) is a barrister, so she should understand that the legal system is there to be used if people feel there is an injustice being done.

"She was supportive in the early days of our campaign. Nothing from our point of view has changed."

The Labour leader of the council Coun George Dunning said he believed the last administration surveyed the people of Redcar and found the majority in favour of the scheme.

He said: "There is a time when people have had enough. There is a silent majority. People for the scheme will not come out and protest."