SO-CALLED street 'angels' who patrol the streets of Teesside to help vulnerable people have won praise in the House of Commons.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald highlighted the Cleveland street angel schemes one step further through an Early Day Motion to Parliament.

Mr McDonald tabled the motion to the House of Commons which mentions the work of the Boro Angels, Guisborough Nightlights, Hartlepool Town Pastors, Redcar Beacons, Stockton Town Pastors and other street angel programmes.

The Early Day Motion, designed to demonstrate the backing for a cause by collecting supportive signatures from MPs, highlighted the fact that 6,500 hours of voluntary work was carried out in the last year, first aid was given to more than 160 people, and volunteers recovered more than 4,500 bottles and glasses from the streets and helped 76 vulnerable people into taxis.

MP Andy McDonald said: “They are a credit to Cleveland and I’m delighted to be able to commend them for their work by tabling the Early Day Motion to the House of Commons. I urge other MPs to acknowledge the work of street angel programs in their towns and show their support by signing the motion.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger added: “These volunteers are giving their own free time on cold and dark nights and although they are volunteering throughout the year, Christmas is a poignant time to celebrate their work. Street angels show the true spirit of community and it’s absolutely right that their work is commended in this way. I’m sure the areas other MPs will follow suit in supporting this motion.”

The Early Day Motion can be found through this link http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2014-15/651