A railway bridge closed off to the public because of serious safety defects is to be dismantled using a crane.

The footbridge at South Bank railway station, which is the responsibility of Redcar and Cleveland Council, was closed in October, meaning trains have been unable to call at platform two.

Planning documents show a decision is being sought as to whether the demolition works require "prior approval".

Network Rail said design work was also under way on a new temporary footbridge, which station visitors would be able to use.

The 138ft-long (42m) structure had provided access to the platform serving eastbound train services between the town and Saltburn.

For months, trains running to Redcar and Saltburn have not called at South Bank, with a shuttle bus replacing services.

The structure was found to have significant defects and be unsafe for continued use, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"The footbridge needs to be demolished to remove the remaining risk to the railway," the application by the council stated.

The works would be carried out by Network Rail and its contractors at the start of July using a crane, the application added.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "Work to dismantle the current bridge is set to begin in the coming weeks, after which the new structure will be installed, with the project set to be completed by the end of August."