COUNCILLORS were told not to discuss the controversy surrounding the attempt to grant an old soldier the Freedom of the Borough of Redcar and East Cleveland at a meeting.

A campaign has been launched to grant old soldier Eddie Straight, 95, who helped liberate Belsen and protected the future Queen in the Second World War the Freedom of the Borough of Redcar and east Cleveland.

Campaigner and fellow Saltburn man Craig Hornby hoped it would be discussed at the council's recent cabinet meeting

However mayor of the borough, Brenda Forster, told councillors that only the issue of very highly regarded charity worker and Saltburn campaigner Jackie Taylor's approved nomination for the honour could be discussed.

There was strong support for Ms Taylor, who is the founder of the Saltburn 500 Club which is the driving force behind many initiatives in the town, including Saltburn in Bloom.

However Mr Hornby, who also expressed his admiration for Ms Taylor, said he was frustrated that several councillors were prevented from talking about Eddie Straight. He said both could receive the honour.

After the meeting at Redcar's Heart building, he said: "I know, like they said in there, that Jackie Taylor has got her hands dirty and she's done it for my town of Saltburn too. But Eddie got his hands bloody. And he did it to defend our country. It is just stubborn intransigence (that the council won't give Mr Straight the freedom of the borough.)"

More than 1,600 people have so far signed an online petition for Mr Straight to be given the honour. Mr Hornby has pointed out that the council granted Freedom of the Borough to the Yorkshire Regiment 2 (formerly the Green Howards) in 2008.

He also argued that in fact the all-party panel that made the decision only had Cllr Forster, Labour, and Cllr Margaret Wilson, a Liberal Democrat on the day the decision was made because others had not attended.

However Cllr Forster insisted that the panel was all-party and that Mr Straight sadly did not fit the criteria.

She is holding a civic reception for him and has praised his "outstanding contribution."