North Tyneside Council which was investigated by police following allegations of wrong-doing regarding a land purchase, has been cleared of any further action.

Northumbria Police assessed the council’s purchase of the 600-hectare Swan Hunter site after accusations were lodged in May last year.

However, the force has ruled that there is no need for any further investigation.

Welcoming the police’s findings, Council Chief Executive Patrick Melia said: “We are pleased that Northumbria Police have completed their consideration of these allegations from a complainant and have concluded, as we expected, that there are no grounds for further investigation as there is no evidence of any wrong-doing in relation to any of the issues raised with them,”

"The Council has a 'zero tolerance' approach and if there was any wrongdoing we would certainly want it to be exposed and dealt with according to the Authority's own policies as well as through the legal process as appropriate.

North Tyneside Council purchased the former shipyard site, known as Swan Hunter, in 2009 for a total of £10.5 million, with £6 million gained from investment firm, One North East.

The purchase price paid was supported by independent valuations and the acquisition was carried out in accordance with agreed procedures and the Authority's Regeneration Strategy for the River Tyne North Bank.

It was confirmed that the Authority paid a figure towards the lower end of the spectrum of valuations for the land, and is considered to have achieved good value for money.

Melia added: “We can now continue to focus on the delivery of our exciting ambitions for the redevelopment of the Swans site, through a £100 million investment that will transform the former shipyard into an advanced manufacturing hub for the offshore industry, bringing thousands of new jobs to Wallsend and benefiting the wider area.”