A SYMBOLIC light of peace all the way from Bethlehem arrived in Cleveland this week.

The candle was delivered to the Chapel of the Good Samaritan at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday, before continuing on to Laurieston residential home in Albion Terrace, Saltburn, and then Whitby, via Guisborough, Hinderwell and Staithes.

The peace light's journey began in Bethlehem in the cave beneath the Church of the Nativity, reputedly the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

In mid-December, a young person from Austria lit a lamp and carried it back to Vienna by plane. From there, the lamp was carried across Europe by scouts and guides before it arrived at Darlington railway station on Wednesday morning.

Two scouts from South Bank carried it to the James Cook hospital where a light was taken from it which will burn until Epiphany on January 6.

Children from the hospital's day nursery also attended the chapel to welcome the peace light.

Philip Carrington, the hospital trust's chaplain, said: "By receiving the light, and all it stands for, into our lives and sharing it with others we will be spreading the peace and goodwill of the first Christmas. Maybe our world will be a little better because of it."

He added: "I'm delighted some of the children came along."

Kath Caley, owner of Laurieston residential home, said she was delighted that the light had come to Saltburn.

She said: "I am over the moon that we have actually been asked to take it."

She added that people were welcome to come and take a light from the candle to spread the message of peace as far around the area possible.

The home held a small church service conducted by the Rev Guy Douglas-Croft, of Emanuel Church, Saltburn.