Shops evacuated after high winds

The shopping complex was opened in October 2000

A shopping complex on Teesside has been evacuated after strong winds caused structural damage.

The Captain Cook Square in Middlesbrough has been closed to shoppers and workers after steel panels became lose.

The complex, which has more than 200,000 sq ft of shops, was opened in October 2000.

Site security officer Glenn O'Callahan, said the area had been closed to the public.

'Dangerous situation'

He said: "The very high winds that we experience here overnight have caused us some problems.

"They caused steel panels to come loose from the roof.

"I have inspected the area again today and more panels have come away.

"Obviously this is a potentially dangerous situation and we have decided to shut the square.

"Some members of the public were a bit unhappy but at the end of the day this is a safety issue."

Middlesbrough Borough Council officials and the square's owners, Norwich Union, are meeting to discuss emergency repair work.