A LOCAL environmental project will be on the campaign trail in Middlesbrough town centre later this week.
Easterside Partnership is currently well ahead in the polls to land a £12,500 boost from the Marks and Spencer Community Energy Fund.
But campaigners are determined to fight for every last vote to ensure they keep the regional competition at bay.
They’ll be setting out their stall in Marks & Spencer’s Middlesbrough town centre store in Linthorpe Road on Thursday (September 24)
The scheme is one of seven across the North East vying to secure the public’s backing and land the cash – votes can be cast via ecoeasterside.com
Easterside has been at the forefront of the drive to achieve cuts in carbon emissions at a local level, becoming a community testbed in 2010 and installing solar panels and school wind turbines thanks to a £400,000 government grant.
If successful, the Easterside project will see the installation of solar panels and LED lighting at the community centre and shops, improving both energy efficiency and safety.
Ladgate Ward Councillor June Goodchild said: “We’ve had great support so far, but we still need as many people as possible to vote to give us the best possible chance of securing this important grant.
“The solar panels will help to power the CCTV cameras at the precinct, while the LED lighting will help to make the whole area safer.
“It’s something the whole community will benefit from, so I hope people will make their voices heard and vote for this important local project.”
To vote in support of the Easterside project, visit ecoeasterside.com
Voting closes at the end of September.